The police command in Katsina has foiled a cattle rustling attempt in Jibia and recovered 50 animals after a gun duel with armed bandits.

The command, in a statement by its spokesman, Abubakar Aliyu, on Sunday, said the police arrested a 22-year-old suspect.

“The incident occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on September 12, following a distress call that suspected armed bandits had invaded Kwarara Village in Jibia Local Government Area and rustled livestock.

“The DPO of Jibia immediately mobilised the Police VCRU Patrol Team and personnel of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps to respond to the attack,” he said.

According to him, the security team tactically traced the suspects and intercepted them on the Jibia Dam Site.

“He said a gun duel ensued between the security team and the suspected bandits during the encounter. The suspects were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the security personnel and were forced to abandon the rustled animals,” he said.

Mr Aliyu added that the fleeing suspects escaped from the scene with varying degrees of gunshot injuries. He said the security team subsequently searched the area and arrested one suspected cattle rustler, aged 22.

The statement said the team also recovered 50 rustled animals, comprising 15 cows and 35 sheep.

(NAN)