The Niger State Police Command announced the recovery of 42 sheep suspected to have been rustled in separate operations, along with the arrest of four suspects.
The arrests were made following credible intelligence, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, who said the operatives of the command’s Crack Squad intercepted the suspects on February 24 at around 6 p.m. near the Raba Forest area close to Mokwa.
The suspects were identified as:
Abubakar Musa, 23, of Maito Village via Lemu
Muhammed Ibeto, 20, of Kara via Jebba
Bello Saidu, 20, of Kara via Jebba
Abubakar Alhaji, 20, of Kara via Jebba
Police reports indicate that the suspects confessed to rustling the sheep from Salihu Village near Mokwa and disclosed information about other gang members still at large. The recovered animals have been returned to their rightful owner.
Livestock theft continues to be a significant security challenge in northern Nigeria, particularly in Niger State. In 2025, authorities recovered approximately 50 rustled sheep after a similar attack on Dapo Village, during which thieves loaded the stolen animals into vehicles before local vigilantes and police intervened.
Authorities say operations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects who fled into the forest.
