The Nigeria Police Force in Niger State has recovered a total of 67 rustled animals following separate anti-rustling operations in Munya Local Government Area and Maikunkele, Minna.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday.
He said the first operation followed a distress report of banditry and cattle rustling received at about 7:00 p.m. on May 14 in Munya.
Joint security operatives reportedly engaged the suspected rustlers in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon 43 cows and 24 sheep.
The recovered animals were later handed over to their owners through coordination with local authorities, he said.
In a separate operation on May 13, operatives of the Operation Flush team attached to Maikunkele Division recovered another stolen cow during routine patrol.
According to Abiodun, the officers intercepted two suspects in the Rafin-yashin area attempting to move the animal, but the suspects fled on sighting the patrol team.
The cow was recovered at the scene, while investigations are ongoing to locate its rightful owner.
The police said both operations form part of ongoing efforts to curb cattle rustling and other forms of rural banditry across Niger State.
