Police, Military Recover 67 Stolen Cows in Kano, Rustlers Flee After Gun Battle

The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with the Military Joint Task Force (JTF), has recovered 67 cows and other livestock stolen by suspected cattle rustlers in Gwarzo Local Government Area following a coordinated security operation.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, saying the operation was launched after credible intelligence reports revealed that armed cattle rustlers had attacked villages in Gwarzo and surrounding communities on May 6, 2026.

According to the statement, a combined team of police operatives from the Gwarzo Division and Military JTF personnel stationed along the Kano-Katsina border swiftly mobilised to the affected communities to rescue the stolen livestock and confront the suspects.

Kiyawa said the suspected rustlers opened fire on the security team upon sighting the operatives, leading to a gun duel.

“On sighting the security operatives, the suspects reportedly engaged the team in a gun duel,” he stated.

However, the joint security operatives reportedly overpowered the rustlers with superior tactical strength, forcing the suspects to abandon the stolen animals and flee from the area.

Items recovered during the operation included 67 cows, one donkey, and one sheep.

The police said the recovered livestock were taken to the Gwarzo Police Division before being handed over to their rightful owners on May 7 after proper identification and verification conducted through district heads under the supervision of local government authorities.

The command added that efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, while surveillance and intelligence gathering had been intensified across the affected communities to prevent further attacks and improve rural security.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Ibrahim Bakori, commended the professionalism and bravery displayed by the operatives as well as the collaboration between the police and the Military JTF in tackling cattle rustling and other rural crimes.

Bakori reassured residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives, property, and the agricultural economy of the state. He also urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information that could aid ongoing operations.