The Kebbi State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in its ongoing fight against crime, as operatives in Suru Local Government Area intercepted a cattle rustling syndicate and recovered rustled animals alongside a vehicle used in the crime.
The operation, carried out on August 27, 2027, around 11:00 p.m., was the result of intelligence-driven policing. Officers attached to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Suru, were on routine patrol when they spotted suspicious movements and acted swiftly.
During the patrol, one suspect, identified as Basiru Abdullahi, a resident of Suru district, was arrested in possession of two cattle believed to have been stolen. The prompt action of the patrol team prevented the animals from being transported further.
On interrogation, Abdullahi reportedly confessed to being part of a wider criminal gang specializing in cattle theft. He named his accomplices as Garba Chairman Datti, Ja’e Ango, and two others who are still on the run.
Investigations revealed that the gang had conspired to invade the bush in Suru district where they rustled three cows belonging to Sarkin Fulani Usman, a well-known herder in the area.
The rustled cows were allegedly sold for a total sum of ₦500,000 to two buyers: Safiyanu Aliyu of Jega town and another man, Naziru Danmanu, who is now at large. The illicit transaction underscores the thriving underground market for stolen livestock in the region.
Police operatives also recovered a green Toyota vehicle, with registration number Naija-Minna 708XB, which the suspects reportedly used to transport the stolen cows during the operation.
The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Birnin Kebbi, where detectives are intensifying efforts to track down the fleeing members of the gang and ensure their prosecution in court.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Bello M. Sani, commended the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Suru and his men for their professionalism and rapid response. He praised their intelligence-led strategy which, he said, continues to yield positive results.
The Commissioner urged officers across the command to sustain the momentum, assuring residents that the police are committed to dismantling all forms of organized criminal networks operating within the state.
CP Sani further emphasized that the fight against violent crimes, especially cattle rustling which has devastated rural communities and livelihoods, remains a top priority for the command.
He called on members of the public to play their part by staying vigilant and providing timely information that can assist security agencies in responding to threats effectively.
According to him, the cooperation of citizens remains crucial in the ongoing clampdown on crime. “The police cannot succeed alone; we need the support of the people to secure our communities,” the Commissioner stated.
Meanwhile, the police have assured residents of Suru and surrounding communities that efforts are underway to recover the third stolen cow and apprehend all suspects connected to the syndicate.
The Kebbi State Command reiterated its commitment to making the state unsafe for criminals while ensuring that peace and security prevail across all communities.
