The Kano State Police Command, in collaboration with a Military Joint Task Force, has recovered 67 cows and other livestock allegedly rustled by suspected criminals in Gwarzo Local Government Area.

The command said the operation followed credible intelligence that cattle rustlers had attacked villages in Gwarzo and nearby communities along the Kano-Katsina border.

In a statement issued on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said operatives from the Gwarzo Police Division and military personnel were immediately deployed to the affected areas.

According to the statement, the suspects opened fire on the security team after sighting them, leading to a gun battle.

“Due to the superior firepower and tactical superiority of the joint team, the criminals were forced to abandon the rustled livestock and flee outside the state,” the statement said.

The police disclosed that 67 cows, one donkey and one sheep were recovered during the operation.

The recovered animals were taken to the Gwarzo Police Division and later handed over to their rightful owners after identification and verification.

Police said the livestock were formally returned to the owners on May 7 through district heads under the supervision of the local government chairman.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended the operatives and military personnel for their professionalism and bravery during the operation.

Bakori also assured residents that intelligence-led operations and surveillance had been intensified to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks in rural communities.