The Kogi State Government says a joint security operation has recovered about 1,000 rustled livestock during coordinated offensives against cattle-rustling syndicates operating in the state and parts of the North-Central region.
The operation involved the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade, Hybrid Forces from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilantes and hunters.
According to the state government, more than 200 of the recovered animals were linked to the criminal network of the late bandit leader, Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo, while the remaining livestock were recovered from other suspected cattle-rustling groups.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said credible intelligence enabled security agencies to track the movement of the suspects and intercept the stolen livestock before they could be sold.
He explained that the criminal groups allegedly intended to sell the animals to raise funds for weapons, food supplies and other logistics.
Fanwo said security operatives engaged the suspects in gun battles at different locations, killing several of them, while others fled with gunshot wounds and abandoned the livestock.
He added that security agencies are pursuing the fleeing suspects as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the remaining members of Battijo’s network.
The recovered livestock are being kept at a secure location in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area pending identification and return to their rightful owners.
The commissioner commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, the military, the police, the DSS, local vigilantes and hunters for their collaboration, describing the operation as a major breakthrough in the state’s fight against banditry and cattle rustling.
He also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible intelligence, reaffirming the government’s commitment to sustaining security operations and protecting lives and property across Kogi State.