The Nigerian Police force have foiled an attempted cattle rustling operation and recovered livestock following a coordinated attack by armed bandits in Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security sources said the incident occurred on April 29 at about 8:30 p.m. when about 30 heavily armed bandits on motorcycles attacked Kwandawa and Tigaga villages and rustled an unspecified number of cattle.
The sources disclosed that upon receiving the distress call, security operatives in Kankia, in collaboration with counterparts in Charanchi, swiftly mobilised tactical response teams and blocked suspected escape routes along Kartaka and Gadar Yan Tulina feeder paths.
According to the sources, the operatives engaged the attackers in a prolonged gun duel, forcing the bandits to retreat with suspected casualties and abandon the rustled animals.
They added that the intense exchange led to the scattering of the recovered livestock in different directions, while the area has since been secured and cordoned off.
The sources further stated that aggressive clearance and search operations are ongoing to regroup the dispersed cattle and track down the fleeing suspects.
By Zagazola Makama
