The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested four suspected bandits in Chikun Local Government Area of the state and recovered 65 cows believed to have been rustled.
According to the police, operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit acted on credible intelligence about the activities of suspected bandits and cattle rustlers before raiding the Kakura area of Chikun, where the suspects were apprehended.
The suspects were identified as Ibrahim Shuaibu, also known as Magaji, and Buhari Ibrahim, both from Kakura, as well as Musa Haruna from Gora and Abdullahi Idi from Dan Damisa in Zaria.
The command disclosed that a total of 65 cows suspected to be stolen were recovered from the suspects during the operation.
Police further revealed that preliminary investigations showed the suspects, who are cattle rearers, confessed that the cows were brought to them by one Kyauta of Izuwa, a suspected bandit. The police added that Kyauta is currently at large and that efforts are ongoing to track and arrest him.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, Muhammad Rabiu, has urged residents to remain alert and continue to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information to aid the fight against kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities.
Rabiu assured citizens of the command’s unwavering resolve to sustain aggressive operations against criminal elements and ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice.
Banditry has become one of Nigeria’s most persistent and dangerous security challenges, affecting communities across the country and inflicting severe social and economic damage.
Armed criminal groups commonly described as bandits have been linked to widespread cattle rustling, kidnappings for ransom, attacks on rural communities and the disruption of daily life for thousands of Nigerians.
These groups often take advantage of vast ungoverned areas in the North-West and other regions to establish hideouts from which they launch raids on farmers, travellers and schools.
In recent months, worsening insecurity has drawn national attention, triggering protests by labour unions and civil society organisations calling for more decisive government action.
The Nigerian Senate has also held intense debates on the matter, highlighting the urgent need for coherent and sustained responses to the growing crisis.
Despite these challenges, security agencies have recorded some operational gains, including the rescue of abducted victims in states such as Kogi and Kwara, as well as the intensification of patrols.
However, the human toll remains significant.
Many communities continue to live under constant fear of abductions, while bandit attacks persist in undermining agricultural activities and local economies.
Security analysts have cautioned that without improved coordination among federal authorities, state governments and local stakeholders, the cycle of violence may continue.
They have also stressed that the complexity of banditry requires not only robust security measures but also broader socio-economic interventions to address its root causes.
