Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Kano have foiled a bandits’ attack and recovered 147 rustled livestock during a successful operation along the Kano-Katsina border.
The operation, carried out on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, followed credible intelligence that armed bandits were moving stolen livestock through the Yankamaye and Rimaye axis.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade, Major Babatunde Zubairu, troops were swiftly deployed to identified crossing points used by the bandits.
He said the troops intercepted the fleeing criminals, leading to a gun battle that forced the bandits to abandon the stolen animals and flee towards Katsina State.
Zubairu disclosed that during the operation, soldiers arrested two suspected terrorists and recovered one motorcycle, 97 cattle, and 50 sheep.
The army said all the recovered cattle were successfully returned to their rightful owners.
However, the operation recorded one casualty as a local vigilante, identified as Mallam Yusuf Adamu, from Yanchibi Village, was killed after being caught in the crossfire.
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The army expressed its condolences to the deceased’s family and the Yanchibi community, describing the incident as unfortunate.
The statement added that troops have since continued clearance operations in the area to track down the fleeing bandits and dismantle criminal hideouts.
Commending the troops for their professionalism and courage, the Commander of 3 Brigade, Brigadier General Saka Jimoh, urged them to sustain the offensive until all bandits and other criminal elements operating in the area are neutralised.
He also appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence, stressing that public cooperation remains vital to the success of ongoing counter-banditry operations.
