The police command in Sokoto, on Thursday, handed over 20 cows and a donkey intercepted by its anti-kidnapping operatives on January 16 to their rightful owner.

Spokesman ASP Ahmad Rufa’i said this while briefing journalists about the command’s recent achievements.

Mr Rufa’i said the recovery was a product of the command’s commitment to combat kidnapping, cattle rustling, armed robbery and other criminal activities.

He listed the command’s success in intelligence-driven policing, visibility policing and community engagements under police commissioner Ali Kaigama.

He said the strategies yielded tremendous achievements, including recovering rustled cattle.

“The interception of the cows and a donkey on January 16 occurred along Kware, Gada bush, following a hot pursuit of unidentified armed cattle rustlers, who fled upon sighting the police.

“After extensive efforts to locate the owners, on January 31, Malami Hayatu of Yar Barade village, Durbawa, in the Kware local government area, identified the cattle as his own.

“Hayatu explained that the cattle were stolen from his residence on January 14 by unknown individuals,” Mr Rufa’i said.

He urged Sokoto residents to assist the police and other security agencies with useful information to ensure a secure environment for all.

(NAN)