The Police Command in Kaduna State have repelled an attack by suspected cattle rustlers and recovered 39 stolen cows in Illa Village, Igabi Local Government Area.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday in Kaduna. The operation followed a swift response to a distress call from the community in the early hours of Saturday.

Hassan said that on November 7, at about 5:00 a.m., the Divisional Police Officer, Rigachikun Division, received a distress call from one Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar of Illa Village. He said Abubakar reported that at about 4:00 a.m. the same day, a group of armed men attacked the village, rustled cows belonging to three Fulani herders and shot one Abubakar, 25, in both legs. The attack caused panic among residents of the village.

A combined team of police operatives led by the Officer in Charge, Amana Outpost, local vigilantes and villagers swiftly mobilised, pursued the suspects into the bush and engaged them in a gun duel. The team included members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and community members who joined the pursuit. The security operatives confronted the rustlers as they attempted to escape with the stolen cattle.

Hassan said the rustlers subsequently abandoned the 39 stolen cows and escaped into the bush with gunshot injuries. He said eight rounds of ammunition were expended during the confrontation. The police said the superior response of the combined team forced the attackers to abandon their loot and flee, preventing further harm to residents and loss of livestock.

The spokesman said the injured victim was rushed to Shika Teaching Hospital, where he was responding to treatment, while the recovered cows had been handed over to their owners. The prompt medical attention, he said, helped to stabilise the victim. The return of the cattle brought relief to the three herders who had lost their animals during the attack.

Hassan said the Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Rabiu, commended the gallantry and swift response of the operatives, vigilantes and community members. He reassured residents of the command commitment to tackling cattle rustling, armed attacks and other criminal activities in the state.

He urged members of the public to continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies.

The command also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements in their communities. Police said efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing rustlers and dismantle criminal networks involved in cattle rustling in Igabi and other parts of Kaduna State.