Troops of the Joint Task Force operating in Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State have recovered 257 animals allegedly rustled by suspected bandits in the early hours of Sunday.
The operation, led by personnel of the Nigerian Army under the 3 Brigade, followed a distress call reporting that armed men had driven away livestock from Mainika village.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade, Major Babatunde Zubairu, said the troops responded swiftly after receiving the alert at about 6:57 a.m.
He said, “In the early hours of 1 March 2026, at about 0657 hours, troops of the Joint Task Force responded to a distress call and immediately deployed along a suspected escape route used by the rustlers.”
According to him, the troops intercepted the suspects at Dayi village, where an ambush was successfully executed.
“On sighting the advancing troops, the bandits fled in disarray towards Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, abandoning the rustled livestock,” Zubairu stated.
He disclosed that the recovered animals included 135 cows, 119 sheep, one goat and two donkeys, bringing the total to 257.
“The recovered livestock have since been handed over to their rightful owners through the appropriate local authorities,” he added.
Zubairu further noted that the fleeing suspects suffered significant casualties during the exchange of fire, although no figure was given.
The Joint Task Force in Gwarzo comprises troops of the 3 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and local vigilante groups.
The Commander of 3 Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmad Tukur, commended the personnel for their “bravery, vigilance and high fighting spirit.”
He also expressed appreciation to members of the local community for providing timely intelligence that aided the operation.
“As at the time of this statement, the situation remains under control, while surveillance operations have been intensified to forestall further incidents,” the statement said.
The task force reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining security operations in the area to safeguard lives and property.
