By Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
As part of its sustained efforts to combat cattle rustling and other related crimes across the Yobe, the State Police Command has nabbed a suspect found in possession of 19 cattle reasonably suspected to have been rustled.
According to a statement by Dungus Abdulkareem who is the PPRO of the Command, on July 31, 2026, at about 1230hrs, the Garin Alkali Divisional Police Headquarters acting on credible intelligence intercepted one Umar Sanda, 28, of Lafiya Fulani Settlement, via Azare, Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State, in possession of 19 cattle on the outskirts of Dumburi Village, Masaba Ward, Bursari Local Government Area of Yobe State, under the circumstances suggesting that the livestock were stolen.
Upon receipt of the information, operatives of the Division swiftly mobilised to the scene and successfully intercepted the suspect along with the cattle.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspect claimed that the cattle belonged to his brother, who resides at the same address.
However, the suspect could not properly account for the ownership and lawful possession of the cattle or provide satisfactory details to substantiate his claim. Consequently, the suspect was taken into custody and the 19 cattle were secured, while a comprehensive investigation has commenced to establish the true ownership of the livestock, and determine whether any offence of cattle rustling or any other related crime has been committed.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Usman Kanfani Jibrin, psc, mspsp, SM.ICM, has reassured the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating cattle rustling and all forms of criminality across the state.
He urged livestock owners and members of the public to continue supporting the Police by providing timely and credible information that will aid in preventing and detecting crime.
