The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 13 suspected cattle rustlers and recovered 27 stolen cows along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway.
Police spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, said in a statement on Tuesday that the suspects were intercepted on Sunday, August 17, 2025, after police received reliable information.
“On 17th August, 2025, at about 12:00pm, the DPO Toll Gate received credible intelligence that some suspected rustled cattle were being transported in three separate vehicles,” Hassan said.
He explained that the Divisional Police Officer quickly set up a stop-and-search checkpoint along the highway, which has become notorious for banditry and cattle rustling in recent years.
“Eventually, three vehicles were intercepted and a total of twenty-seven (27) cattle recovered,” he added.
Hassan listed some of the suspects as Lawal Sarki, Sule VIO, Ayuba Mohammed, Mohammed Bashir, Abu Mai Chaji, Abdullateef Lateef, Shamsudden Abdullahi, Jonathan Ishaya and Yakubu Alhassan, among others.
He revealed that during questioning, one suspect confessed to receiving cows from a wanted bandit kingpin known as Lagu, who has allegedly been terrorising southern Kaduna and the Kaduna–Abuja axis.
“He also admitted to receiving at least 50 rustled cows from one Abdullahi of Rijana, who is currently on the run,” he added.
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The Police Command said investigations are continuing to catch other members of the criminal gang.
The Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, vowed that the police would not relent in the fight against rustling, kidnapping, and other crimes.
“This operation shows our commitment to disrupt criminal supply chains and restore peace. We will continue to intensify operations until those behind these crimes are brought to justice,” Muhammad said.
He urged residents to support security agencies with useful information, describing security as “a collective responsibility.”