NSCDC arrests cattle rustling kingpins in Zamfara

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Zamfara State on Monday intercepted two cattle rustling kingpins identified as Hussaini and Abubakar Altine at a motor park at Zamfara State Mass Transit in Gusau. The state spokesman of the NSCDC, Mr Oche Ikor, who disclosed this said the suspects were arrested by the patrol […]

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Zamfara State on Monday intercepted two cattle rustling kingpins identified as Hussaini and Abubakar Altine at a motor park at Zamfara State Mass Transit in Gusau.

The state spokesman of the NSCDC, Mr Oche Ikor, who disclosed this said the suspects were arrested by the patrol team of the corps alongside their brother on board a bus to Taraba State to link up with friends and some family members who had earlier travelled to the state.

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One of the suspects, Hussaini Altine, who hails from Agama Lafiya village in Gusau Local Government Area of the state, had participated in several cattle rustling activities in four villages where they killed at least six people.

He said their meeting point was Gusami in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area.

“We hire guns to kill people and I can confess to you that I have participated in many attacks on different communities at different times. We are being paid N10, 000 after every operation.

“I have no gun, but they used to come with their rifles.  I don’t know where the gang leaders fetch their rifles from. Sometimes, I will only be asked to herd away the rustled cattle to various camps in the forest and I can tell you this is what I used to do,” he confessed. Meanwhile, the public relations officer of the corps said a discreet investigation had already commenced and further action would be announced.