The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has announced that soldiers of the Special Task Force (STF) operating in Plateau State, have recovered over 218 cows, said to have been stolen by cattle rustlers at different points. The disclosure was made in an unsigned statement posted on the official website of the Defence Headquarters yesterday.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has announced that soldiers of the Special Task Force (STF) operating in Plateau State, have recovered over 218 cows, said to have been stolen by cattle rustlers at different points. The disclosure was made in an unsigned statement posted on the official website of the Defence Headquarters yesterday.

Some of the animals were said to have been rescued, when troops on special patrol were alerted and they confronted the group of young rustlers, who were said to have made away with some cattles after allegedly killing some herdsmen in Kanke town. Another separate operation was said to have been undertaken by the STF operatives in Panchiki, culminating in further recoveries.
The statement reads in full: “Operatives of the Special Task Force (STF) in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria have recovered over 218 cows stolen by cattle rustlers in various parts of the state.

Some of the cattle were salvaged when troops carrying out special patrols to deescalate cattle rustling in the region were alerted to a group of youthful cattle rustlers who had made away with some cattle after killing herdsmen at Kanke town.

“The Operatives who swiftly trailed and intercepted the rustlers have taken one of the suspects into custody for preliminary investigations after which he will be handed over to the appropriate prosecuting agency. “A separate operation carried out by the special patrol operatives has also led to the recovery of 30 cows from cattle rustlers in Panchiki village in Plateau State.

The cattle were recovered following a pursuit by the troops, compelling the rustlers to abandon the cattle.
All the cattle have been returned to their rightful owners across the state. “Cattle rustling have been a major cause of violence and the bane of peaceful coexistence in North Central Nigeria.”

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STF recovers up to 220 cows in Plateau