The Kaduna State Police Command has announced the arrest of 13 suspected cattle rustlers and the recovery of 27 stolen cows along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway.
The operation, carried out on Sunday, August 17, 2025, followed credible intelligence received by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Toll Gate Division.
Acting swiftly, the DPO mobilised his team and set up a stop-and-search checkpoint along the highway, a corridor long plagued by banditry, kidnappings, and cattle rustling.
During the operation, three vehicles transporting the rustled cattle were intercepted. The suspects arrested include Lawal Sarki, Sule VIO, Ayuba Mohammed, Mohammed Bashir, Abu Mai Chaji, Abdullateef Lateef, Shamsudden Abdullahi, Jonathan Ishaya, and Yakubu Alhassan.
Four others identified as Alhaji Abu, Shamsudeen Abdullahi, Lawal Abdullahi, and Abba Hamisu were also apprehended in connection with the crime.
Investigations revealed that the syndicate had strong ties with a notorious bandit kingpin known as Lagu, who has been terrorising communities in southern Kaduna and along the Abuja–Kaduna corridor.
One of the suspects reportedly confessed to receiving multiple batches of stolen cattle from Lagu and another accomplice, Abdullahi of Rijana, who is currently on the run.
The Police Command disclosed that efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing members of the network and dismantle the entire operation.
Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, commended the officers involved and stressed the command’s resolve to intensify the crackdown on rustling, kidnappings, and other criminal activities threatening peace in the state.
He urged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies, describing public cooperation as vital in the fight against crime.
The successful operation is seen as a major breakthrough in the ongoing security campaign to restore safety and protect rural communities heavily dependent on livestock for survival.
