The Kogi State Government says security forces have recovered about 1,000 livestock stolen by cattle rustlers during a series of coordinated operations carried out across the state.
The operation involved the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Hybrid Forces from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilantes and hunters.
According to the state government, the security operation focused on criminal groups linked to the late bandit leader, Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo, as well as other cattle-rustling syndicates operating within Kogi and parts of the North-Central region.
Officials said more than 200 of the recovered animals were traced to Battijo's network, while the remaining livestock were recovered from other armed groups involved in cattle theft in Kogi and neighbouring states.
The government explained that the criminals had planned to move the stolen livestock through Kogi for sale in order to raise money for their activities.
Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said in a statement on Saturday that the operation succeeded because security agencies acted quickly on credible intelligence.
He said the information enabled security personnel to monitor the movement of the suspects and launch coordinated attacks before the livestock could be transported to their intended destinations.
The commissioner added that intelligence reports showed the criminal groups intended to use proceeds from the sale of the animals to purchase weapons, food and other supplies.
During the operation, security operatives engaged the suspected bandits in gun battles at different locations. Several suspects were killed, while others escaped with gunshot injuries after abandoning the livestock. Authorities said those who fled are being tracked.
Fanwo said the remaining members of Battijo's gang have become weakened since the death of their leader as security operations continue to target their activities and disrupt their supply network.
He disclosed that all recovered livestock have been moved to a secure location in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, where efforts are ongoing to identify the rightful owners before returning the animals.
The commissioner praised the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, military personnel, police officers, vigilantes and local hunters for working together during the operation.
He said the state government would continue its campaign against criminal activities and make full use of the security support provided by President Bola Tinubu to protect lives and property across Kogi.
The government also appealed to residents to continue providing useful information to security agencies, assuring them that all intelligence received would be treated confidentially and acted upon promptly. It added that public cooperation remains important in the fight against crime across the state.
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