The Gombe State Police Command has arrested four suspects and recovered hundreds of stolen domestic animals in a renewed crackdown on cattle rustling and livestock theft across the state.
In a statement, the police said the arrests and recoveries followed a series of intelligence-led operations carried out in collaboration with local vigilante groups and hunters in different parts of the state.
The command said on January 8 at about 12:30 p.m., police officers working with members of the vigilante group Kungiyan Fulako arrested a 17-year-old suspect, Adamu Lawali, at Dasa Village in Jagali North, Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area.
The suspect was found in possession of 49 goats suspected to be stolen, while two other suspects escaped. Sixteen of the goats were immediately identified by their rightful owner.
The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.
Later the same day, at about 8:45 p.m., police and local hunters acting on credible intelligence arrested a 16-year-old suspect, Abdu Habu, at Ruwan Gizo Village via Jigawan Iro. Another suspect, identified simply as Bode, is currently at large.
The arrested suspect was found with 115 sheep and one donkey believed to be stolen.
Investigations later confirmed that 23 of the sheep belonged to a victim and four other residents of Garin Bako Village in Kaltungo Local Government Area.
In another operation at about 2:00 p.m. on the same day, detectives from the Command Monitoring Unit intercepted a 22-year-old suspect, Amir Sulaiman, also known as Al’amin, at the Gombe Cattle Market.
He was found in possession of two cows suspected to be stolen.
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Police said the suspect failed to provide a satisfactory explanation of ownership and later confessed that he received the animals from an accomplice, identified as Joda, who is currently on the run.
Similarly, at about 10:30 p.m., a 13-year-old suspect, Shuaibu Adamu, was arrested by hunters and brought to the Dadin-Kowa Divisional Police Headquarters from Garin Shanu Village, Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area.
He was found in possession of 159 sheep and five goats. Another suspect, identified as Rabo, remains at large. Thirty of the recovered sheep were later identified by a 60-year-old victim from Garin Waziri Village in the same local government area.
All the suspects and recovered animals are currently in police custody, while investigations to identify additional victims and apprehend fleeing suspects are ongoing.
The Commissioner of Police, Umar Ahmed Chuso, commended the vigilance and cooperation of local vigilante groups and hunters, describing their support as critical to the success of the operations.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating cattle rustling and other criminal activities in the state and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the police.
