In a significant stride against rural banditry and livestock theft along Nigeria's porous northeastern borders, the Yobe State Police Command has successfully recovered 54 rustled animals and arrested a suspected notorious cattle rustler in a swift operation that has brought relief to residents of Tarmuwa and surrounding communities.
According to a press statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, the stolen livestock—comprising 47 sheep, 4 rams, 2 goats, and 1 donkey—were traced to the Nigeria-Chad border axis, a region known for its difficult terrain and frequent cases of trans-border criminal activities.
The breakthrough came during a routine patrol on December 5, 2024, by vigilant officers of the Tarmuwa Divisional Police Headquarters. The suspect, 38-year-old Ibrahim Umaru, a resident of Jammel Village in the state, was intercepted in the Babbangida area while attempting to ferry the animals under suspicious circumstances. Upon interrogation, Umaru was unable to provide credible documentation or ownership of the livestock, leading to his immediate arrest.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the animals had been stolen from vulnerable nomadic herders operating along the Nigeria-Chad border—communities that have long suffered from the activities of cross-border livestock thieves.
Ibrahim Umaru was swiftly arraigned before a competent court of jurisdiction, where he was found guilty and convicted for livestock theft, in what many locals are hailing as a victory for the rule of law and a stern warning to other criminal elements operating in the region.
The Police Command has since called on individuals who recently lost livestock in the region to approach the Tarmuwa Divisional Headquarters with verifiable proof of ownership to reclaim their animals. The Command also reiterated its appeal to the public to report missing items or suspicious movements promptly, stressing that timely information remains a key tool in curbing rural crimes.
SP Abdulkarim assured the public that the Yobe State Police Command under Commissioner of Police Garba Ahmed is committed to intensifying surveillance operations and sustaining community engagement to foster security and peace in all parts of the state.
This incident highlights the continued threat of cattle rustling in Nigeria's northeastern corridor, a challenge that not only affects food security and economic stability but also contributes to the cycle of violence in agrarian communities. The arrest and conviction of Umaru send a clear message: the long arm of the law will catch up with those who profit from the pain and hard work of others.