Report by JAMILA ABBA; Editing by BASIRAT MEMUDU
Taraba state government through the committee on cows/Sheeps recovery has handed over a total of 222 cows, 58 sheeps and rams that were stolen within the axes of Karim-Lamido, Nassarawa state and Plateau state to legitimate owners.
The Jalingo local government council chairman, Aminu Jauro Hassan who disclosed this during the handing over exercise at the Taraba state College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, said the committee after rigorous check on 52 group of cattle breeders to ascertain the genuine owners, it was discovered that the herds belong to two groups.
According to the council chairman, the two groups were able to present 90 percent proof before the Committee to prove that they were legitimate owners of the animals.
“Through the intelligence efforts of the combined operation of security agencies, the local vigilante and hunters, we have intercepted 222 cows and 58 Sheeps. The cows were intercepted in Gassol local government area of Taraba state after being rustled around the axes of Karim-Lamido, Nassarawa and Plateau state.
“Following the development, the state government directed for a constitution of a committee to identify, verify and insure the genuine owners of the cows.
“After due diligence, two groups presented 90 per cent Proof that they were genuine owners of the cows and Sheeps. Meanwhile, among the two groups, 198 cows and 58 Sheeps and rams belongs to the other group while 2 cows belongs to the other”, he narrated.
The council chairman while commending governor Agbu Kefas for finding them worthy for the assignment, expressed that 24 cows were going to be stepped down, pending proper identification by the true owner.
Meanwhile, the Taraba state chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Ya’u Ibrahim commended the security agencies and the committee’s efforts in ensuring that the cows were intercepted and handed over to the genuine owners.
