The Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC has arrested five suspects with forty eight rustled cattle in Tafa local government area of the state.
This is contained in a statement by the state Commandant NSCDC Mr Jaochin Okafor to Newsmen in Minna by the Command Public Relations Officer DSC Abubakar Muti.
Commandant Joachin Okafor explained that, based on credible intelligence, the Agro Rangers Team on patrol across Tafa Division were informed that about forty-eight cattle suspected to have been rustled from Kafuru in Katsina State through Sundu Kano were heading to Paukon Kore in Gwagwalada Area Council of Abuja.
According to him, this prompted the Agro Rangers squad to strategize and swung into action, thereby intercepted the cattle from the suspects.
Mr. Joachin Okafor further stated that they have invited the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Niger State Chapter, represented by Malam Ibrahim Dikko, along with the Chairmen of Miyetti Allah in Tafa Local Government, Malam Haruna Idris, and his counterpart in Suleja Local Government, for the identification of the rightful owners of the cattle for necessary action.
The five suspects arrested are Adamu Ibrahim 40 years, Adamu Hassan 50years, Bature Isah 15 years, Usman Ibrahim 30years and Jamilu Ibrahim 45 years.
The Niger State Commandant, however, appreciated the Nigeria Hunters Association in the state for their collaboration and intelligence sharing.
He emphasized that the NSCDC had a statutory role to provide security for Agro-Allied Investments and to mediate between farmers and herders to prevent all forms of attacks or reprisals in the state.
The Miyetti Allah Chairman and his executives praised the leadership of the NSCDC for commissioning the Agro Rangers Squad, which has clearly made notable achievements through its prompt intervention mechanism in preventing clashes between farmers and herders and providing an equitable environment for food security across the nation.
After diligent investigation, the Commandant handed over the suspects and the exhibit in the presence of the delegation from the Niger State Government through the Niger state Commissioner of Nomadic and Pastoral Affairs Alh Umar Ahmed Rebe.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation Ardo Ismaila Rebe, thanked the Niger State Commandant for collaborating with reputable stakeholders in curbing crimes in the state as well as aligning with Governor Mohammed Umar Bago renewed agenda of prioritizing Food Security.
”Let me affirm with all sincerity that with the kind of leadership and operational strategies in place at the NSCDC in Niger State, there will be peace and security for the farmers and herders”.
”When issues that could have erupted into crisis are promptly nipped in the bud by such a pragmatic security agency, people can then sleep with their two eyes closed” Ardo Rabe emphasised.
PR/ALIYU LAWAL.