Ekiti Police Strike Major Blow Against Cattle Rustlers, Recover 558 Herds

The Ekiti State Police Command has successfully arrested 17 individuals involved in cattle rustling and recovered a total of 558 stolen cattle, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The operation began on January 21 when Police, acting on a credible tip-off, apprehended Ibrahim Abubakar, a notorious rustler and suspected kidnapper.

During interrogation, Abubakar confessed to multiple cattle thefts across Ekiti, Kwara, and Kogi states, providing details of previous attacks on livestock owners. Authorities recovered 255 cattle directly linked to him.

Subsequently, 16 additional suspects, including Dauda Abdulrahman, Sanusi Abdullahi, Abdulmumini Abdullahi, Ibrahim Adamu, Aladu, Umaru Bala, Idris Abdullahi, Umaru Dairu, Adamu Abubakar, Salisu Abdullahi, Idris Abdullahi, Yahuza Abdulrahman, Abdullahi Salisu, Samaila Abdullahi, Ibrahim Abdullahi, and Sanni Muhammadu, were arrested. These individuals were found in possession of 303 cattle without verifiable ownership.

Commissioner of Police Joseph Eribo confirmed all suspects are under investigation and will face prosecution. “The arrests mark a significant stride in our fight against organized cattle rustling and criminality in the region,” Eribo said.

Cattle rustling remains a persistent security challenge in southwestern and north-central Nigeria, often escalating into violent clashes between herders and local communities.

The Ekiti State Police Command emphasized that this operation is part of a broader strategy to restore public confidence and deter criminal activity.