The Gombe State Police Command has arrested four suspects and recovered a significant number of stolen livestock in coordinated operations carried out on Thursday.
According to a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Buhari Abdullahi, the arrests followed actionable intelligence and close collaboration between the police, local vigilante groups, and hunters.
The first arrest occurred at around 12:30 p.m. in Dasa Village, Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, when police operatives, working with a vigilante group known as Kungiyan Fulako, apprehended 17-year-old Adamu Lawali with 49 goats suspected to be stolen. Sixteen of the goats were immediately identified by their rightful owner, while two accomplices reportedly escaped.
Later, at 8:45 p.m., 16-year-old Abdu Habu was arrested at Ruwan Gizo Village with 115 sheep and one donkey, of which 23 sheep were confirmed to belong to victims from Garin Bako Village in Kaltungo Local Government Area. Another suspect, Bode, remains at large.
In a separate operation at the Gombe Cattle Market, 22-year-old Amir Sulaiman, also known as Al’amin, was arrested with two cows suspected to be stolen. He reportedly confessed to receiving the animals from an accomplice, Joda, who is currently being sought by authorities.
Finally, 13-year-old Shuaibu Adamu was arrested at Garin Shanu Village in possession of 159 sheep and five goats, with 30 of the sheep identified by a 60-year-old victim from Garin Waziri Village.
Gombe State Commissioner of Police, Umar Chuso, commended the vigilance and cooperation of local security groups, noting that their timely information has been instrumental in tackling cattle rustling and other criminal activities in the state. He urged the public to continue providing credible information, assuring that all suspects would face thorough investigations and prosecution.
“The police will not relent in protecting lives and property. Further developments will be communicated as investigations progress,” Chuso added.
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