How bandits rustled 716 cattle in Kwara

Alhaji Ali Muhammed Jowuro, former Chairman of the Gaan Allah Fulani Development Association, Kwara State chapter, has raised the alarm over persistent cattle rustling in the state. Jowuro said that bandits have stolen hundreds of livestock and used the animals as shields during clashes with security forces. Speaking in Ilorin, he explained that the rustlers […]

Alhaji Ali Muhammed Jowuro, former Chairman of the Gaan Allah Fulani Development Association, Kwara State chapter, has raised the alarm over persistent cattle rustling in the state.

Jowuro said that bandits have stolen hundreds of livestock and used the animals as shields during clashes with security forces.

Speaking in Ilorin, he explained that the rustlers have been wreaking havoc on Fulani communities, particularly in the Edu and Ifelodun Local Government Areas.

He disclosed that at least 716 cattle and 18 sheep were stolen, with one victim, Mallam Mohani Adamu of Edu Local Government, suffering heavy losses.

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“In the course of recovering over 40 cattle, the rustlers engaged security operatives in a gun battle and used the animals as shields, leading to the death of 10 cows,” Jowuro narrated.

Jowuro thanked Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his administration’s efforts to maintain peace and security in the state but appealed for more intervention to safeguard herders and their livelihoods. He added that several members of the association who lost their cattle have been rendered destitute and are in urgent need of empowerment support from the government.

He also called for stronger collaboration between security agencies, local communities, and traditional leaders to tackle the problem. Jowuro urged the state government to empower local hunters who are familiar with the terrain, stressing that they could play a decisive role in curbing rustling activities.

Daily Trust reports that the alarm from the Gaan Allah leader follows a series of similar attacks by armed groups in rural communities across the state. In a recent incident, armed bandits rustled a herd of cattle in the Lade community of Patigi Local Government Area last month.

Mohammed Baba, a vigilante leader in Lade, told Daily Trust that the stolen cattle belonged to multiple residents. “The cattle were the collective livelihood of many households. This is not just a theft; it’s a direct attack on our survival,” he said.

Confirming the incident, Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, noted that rustling also occurred in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area. He stated, “The cattle rustling also happened in Lafiagi, not only Lade. We have recovered almost all the cattle in Lafiagi, but we are still working on recovering those from Lade.”