Police, Troops Recover 329 Rustled Cattle, Neutralise Bandits in Zamfara Forest Operation
Operatives of the Zamfara State Police Command, in collaboration with military personnel, have recovered 329 rustled cattle, 175 sheep, and an AK-47 rifle following a successful operation against armed bandits in Gumi Local Government Area of the state.
The operation, carried out by the Command’s Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU), took place in the early hours of June 20, 2026, at Gambanda Forest, a known hideout for criminal elements operating in the area.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, the joint security team launched a tactical operation based on intelligence and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle.
He said the superior firepower and coordinated response of the security operatives forced the bandits to abandon their position and flee deeper into the forest, with several of them believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter.
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“As a result of the operation, the security team recovered 329 rustled cows, 175 sheep, one AK-47 rifle, and 15 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition,” the police spokesman stated.
The recovery of the livestock is considered a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to combat cattle rustling, banditry, and other violent crimes that have continued to threaten rural communities across Zamfara State and parts of the North-West region.
Commending the operatives for their bravery and professionalism, the Commissioner of Police in Zamfara State, CP Ahmad Muhammad Bello, praised the resilience and commitment demonstrated during the operation.
He reaffirmed the Command’s determination to sustain aggressive operations against criminal networks and restore lasting peace and security across the state.
The police commissioner also appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could assist ongoing efforts to track down and apprehend fleeing bandits and other criminal elements.
Security agencies have intensified coordinated operations across Zamfara and neighbouring states in recent months as part of broader efforts to dismantle bandit camps, rescue kidnapped victims, and recover stolen livestock from criminal groups operating in the region.
By PRNigeria
