The police in Katsina State have foiled cattle rustling and recovered 40 cows after a gun duel with suspected bandits in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area.

Police command spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Katsina.

The operation was carried out by operatives of the Dutsin-Ma Division during a routine patrol in the early hours of Friday.

Residents of Karki via Gago Village raised the alarm at 12:33 a.m. over armed bandits moving suspected rustled cattle.

“Upon receipt of the information, the patrol team swiftly mobilised to the area and intercepted the suspected bandits,” the spokesperson said.

On sighting the police, the hoodlums engaged operatives in a gun duel but were overpowered and fled with gunshot wounds.

Operatives cordoned off the area and recovered 40 cows believed to have been rustled by the criminals.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ali Umar-Fage, commended the officers for their swift response and professionalism during the operation.

Mr Umar-Fage said efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks, while praising residents for providing timely information and urging vigilance.

(NAN)