Police operatives in Katsina State have recovered 12 stolen cows and several sheep after engaging suspected bandits in a gun battle in Bakori Local Government Area.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, the incident occurred at about 11:00 p.m. on June 2, 2026, when armed bandits invaded Gidan Dan Maye village along the Gangaren Makurdi–Jargaba axis and rustled livestock belonging to residents.
Hikaya Newspaper reports that the statement said information about the attack was received at the Bakori Police Division, prompting the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to immediately mobilize police personnel to the scene in collaboration with members of the local Vigilante Group.
The security team reportedly traced the suspects to an area around Gidan Baushe village, where a fierce exchange of gunfire took place between the operatives and the bandits.
Police said the suspects were forced to abandon all the stolen animals and flee into the bush with suspected gunshot injuries due to the superior tactics and firepower of the security team.
All the recovered livestock were successfully returned to their rightful owners. The police added that efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects, arrest them, and dismantle their criminal network.
Commending the operatives for their bravery, the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, , reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state. He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support the fight against crime.