A combined team of security operatives have recovered at least 2,000 cattle from rustlers in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, north-west Nigeria.

On Tuesday, the security operatives killed three and arrested eight suspected cattle rustlers during a routine operation at a forest, which served as their hideout in the area.

Speaking to reporters after visiting sites of the assembled rescued cows in Birnin Gwari, the State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, commended the security operatives for the successful operation that led to the arrest of the hoodlums and rescue of the stolen cows.

While stating that the problem of cattle rustling and other criminal vices had lingered in the area for too long, Governor El-Rufai said that similar joint security operations were ongoing in neighbouring states like Niger, Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi.

He called on the people of Kaduna State to assist and pray for the security agencies towards ending the activities of bandits in the state.

Parading the arrested hoodlums at the operational base in Damari, a town in Birnin Gwari, the leader of the Joint Task Force, Captain Ujah, gave an assurance that the days of the remaining criminals terrorising the area were numbered.

In 2013, armed robbers attacked Birnin Gwari, killing 13 people, including two soldiers and some vigilante members.

As a result of the spate of killings and cattle rustling by gunmen in the community and environs, a combined team of soldiers and other security operatives were deployed to the forest bordering the community to flush out the bandits. (Channels TV)

•Photo shows cattle but not the ones referred to in the story.

Update news