By MOHAMMAD TIJJANI

The Police Command in Kaduna State, said its operatives have nabbed 13 suspected cattle rustlers and recovered 27 rustled cattle in Kaduna.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday in Kaduna.

Hassan said, “On Sunday, at about 12:00 pm, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Toll Gate, received credible intelligence that some suspected rustled cattle were being transported in three separate vehicles along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.”

He said the DPO immediately mobilised officers and men of the division and mounted a snap stop and search checkpoint along the route.

“The DPO eventually intercepted the three vehicles where a total of 27 cattle were recovered.

“The following suspects were equally arrested in connection with the crime: Lawal Sarki, Sule VIO, Ayuba Mohammed, Mohammed Bashir, Abu Mai Chaji, Abdullateef Lateef, Shamsudden Abdullahi, Jonathan Ishaya and Yakubu Alhassan.

“Furthermore, additional suspects were arrested namely: Alhaji Abu, Shamsudeen Abdullahi, Lawal Abdullahi and Abba Hamisu,” he said.

Hassan said upon further interrogations, one of the suspects confessed to have been receiving rustled cows from a notorious bandit popularly known as Lagu, who was amongst the notorious wanted bandits that have been terrorising the area.

He also admitted of receiving at least 50 rustled cows from one Abdullahi of Rijana, who was also on the run.

According to him, investigation into the criminal conspiracy and cattle rustling network was ongoing and efforts were being intensified to apprehend all the accomplices and bring them to justice.

Hassan said the Commissioner of Police, (CP) Muhammad Rabiu, has assured the members of the public that the command would not relent in its efforts to safeguard lives and property in the state.

He called on the citizens to continue to support the Police with useful information that can help in curbing criminal activities. (NAN)