The Nigeria Police Force in Kwara State has arrested 19 suspected bandits and cattle rustlers during a bush clearance operation around Ekati village in Lade area of the state.
The operation, which was carried out by the Kwara State Police Command in collaboration with members of the Miyetti Allah vigilante group, led to the arrest of 10 key suspects.
This was made known in an X post shared by security analyst Zagazola Makama on Thursday.
Those arrested are Mohammed Salihu, 25, Mohammadu Musa, 23, Abubakar Sani, also known as Siddi, 25, Yusuf Isah, also known as Lariya, 22, Mohammadu Ibrahim, also known as Iro, 21, Mohammadu Sani, also known as Kachalla Ruga, 65, Musa Ado, also known as Mandu, 65, Abubakar Adamu, also known as Buba, 26, Mohammadu Zangina, 25, and Abubakar Shaibu, also known as Jijji, 20.
The police disclosed that most of the suspects are believed to be from Zamfara State, while one suspect reportedly hails from the Niger Republic and another from Katsina State.
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During the operation, security operatives recovered 370 cows and 58 goats suspected to have been rustled.
The livestock were taken into custody as exhibits.
The police added that investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the suspect’s activities and to identify possible accomplices.
The command reiterated its commitment to intensifying operations against banditry and cattle rustling across the state.