Joint security operation foils cattle rustlers, recovers 1,000 livestock in Kogi

About 1,000 rustled livestock have been recovered in a major security operation in Kogi State as security agencies intensified their crackdown on cattle-rustling syndicates linked to the late bandit leader, Ibrahim Battijo, and other criminal groups operating across the North Central region.

The operation, carried out by the Kogi State Government in collaboration with the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Hybrid Forces from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilantes and hunters, also forced several bandits to flee after fierce gun battles at different locations.

According to the state government, more than 200 of the recovered animals were traced to the criminal network of the late Battijo, while the remaining livestock were recovered from other cattle-rustling gangs operating within Kogi and neighbouring states. The rustlers were reportedly moving the stolen animals through Kogi for sale to finance their operations.

Kingsley Femi Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communications, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Saturday, attributing the success of the operation to credible intelligence and effective collaboration among security agencies.

He said timely intelligence enabled security operatives to monitor the movement of the criminal groups and launch coordinated offensives before the livestock could be transported to their intended destinations.
Fanwo explained that intelligence reports indicated the bandits planned to sell the stolen animals to raise funds for weapons, food and other logistics needed to sustain their criminal activities.

He said security personnel engaged the suspects in intense exchanges of gunfire, resulting in the deaths of several bandits, while others escaped with gunshot wounds after abandoning the livestock. He added that security agencies were tracking those who fled.

According to him, the remnants of Battijo’s gang have become increasingly vulnerable following the death of their leader, with sustained operations steadily dismantling the network and restricting its operational capacity within Kogi State.

“I can confirm that many of the flies that chose to follow the corpse to the grave have now been buried alongside it, while those who escaped with varying degrees of bullet wounds are being actively tracked by our security forces. They will not escape justice,” Fanwo said.

He disclosed that the recovered livestock had been moved to a secure location in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, where arrangements were underway to identify the rightful owners and facilitate the return of the animals.

Fanwo commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, local vigilantes and hunters for what he described as their professionalism and seamless coordination during the operation.
He described the recovery as another milestone in Kogi State’s sustained campaign against criminality and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to sustain the offensive until criminal groups are completely dismantled.

“Our feet will remain firmly on the pedals until we rid Kogi State of criminal elements and restore the confidence of our people to sleep with both eyes closed,” he said.

The commissioner also said the state government would continue to leverage the security support provided by President Bola Tinubu to strengthen efforts aimed at protecting lives and property across the state.

He urged residents to support security agencies with timely and credible intelligence, assuring them that information provided would be treated confidentially and acted upon promptly.

According to the government, security remains a collective responsibility, and efforts will continue to ensure Kogi State remains hostile to criminal elements while providing a safe environment for law-abiding residents.