Police arrest 18 rustlers, recovers 772 ‘stolen’ animals in Gombe

The Gombe State Police Command said it has arrested 18 suspected cattle rustlers, who allegedly carted away cows and other domestic animals from Bauchi, Plateau, and Taraba states. Parading the suspects before newsmen on Monday, Commissioner of Police, Ishola Babaita, said police tactical teams in collaboration with vigilante groups and hunters mobilised and trailed the […]

The Gombe State Police Command said it has arrested 18 suspected cattle rustlers, who allegedly carted away cows and other domestic animals from Bauchi, Plateau, and Taraba states.

Parading the suspects before newsmen on Monday, Commissioner of Police, Ishola Babaita, said police tactical teams in collaboration with vigilante groups and hunters mobilised and trailed the rustlers following a tip-off.

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He stated that the suspects were intercepted around Kalmai junction in Billiri local government area of the state.

According to him, upon sighting the security personnel, the rustlers abandoned the animals and fled. 

He, however, said that the police were able to arrest 18 of them, who he said are helping the police with information.

Babaita disclosed that a total of 483 cows, 186 sheep and rams, three donkeys, four motorcycles, nine mobile phones, and a sum of N994,000 were recovered from the suspects.

He also revealed that exhibits recovered include two AK-47 rifles, one AK -49 rifle, 320 rounds of live ammunition, 14 empty magazines,s, and three cutlasses.