Katsina Police Foil Major Cattle Rustling, Recover 554 Animals, Deadly Weapons

Operatives of the Katsina State Police Command have recorded a major breakthrough against cattle rustling and armed banditry, recovering 554 stolen animals and a cache of weapons in coordinated security operations across the state, Global Mirror News reports.

According to the Police, the recovery followed a violent raid by suspected bandits on Sabuwar Kasa village in Kafur Local Government Area in the early hours of February 6, 2026.

The attackers reportedly stormed the community while firing sporadically, rustled large herds of cattle and sheep, and fled before security operatives initially arrived.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Aliyu Abubakar, said the command swiftly activated a response after receiving distress information at about 12:10 a.m.

Nearby Police divisions were immediately alerted, triggering a joint operation involving the police, the Nigerian military, and the Katsina State Community Watch Corps.

He explained that operatives, led by the Divisional Police Officer in Malumfashi, tracked the suspects and engaged them in a fierce gun battle.

The attackers were eventually forced to flee due to what Police described as superior tactics and firepower deployed by the joint security team.

“As a result of the operation, a total of 554 rustled animals were successfully recovered. These include 290 cows and 264 sheep,” Abubakar said.

In a related development, the Police also announced the recovery of high-powered weapons during an intelligence-led patrol in Jibia Local Government Area.

Abubakar disclosed that at about 12:05 a.m. on Sunday, a joint patrol team comprising Police officers and vigilante members attached to the Jibia Division discovered arms concealed along the Falale forest axis.

The recovered items include one PKT rifle, two AK-47 rifles, two magazines, and eight rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, suspected to have been hidden by criminal elements operating in the area.

The Police spokesperson noted that investigations are ongoing to uncover the circumstances surrounding the weapons and to identify and apprehend those responsible.

Commending the operatives involved, the Commissioner of Police in Katsina State, Mr Bello Shehu, praised their bravery and professionalism, while reassuring residents of the command’s resolve to strengthen security across the State.

He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to aid ongoing security efforts.