Troops of the Joint Task Force in Gwarzo, led by personnel of the 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have foiled an attempted cattle rustling incident in Kano State, recovering 257 livestock.
The operation followed a distress call in the early hours of Sunday, at about 6:57 a.m., reporting that bandits had rustled cattle from Mainika village in Gwarzo Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Monday, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade, Major Babatunde Zubairu, said the troops swiftly deployed to a suspected bandit route and ambushed the fleeing rustlers at Dayi village.
“In the early hours of 1 March 2026, at about 0657 hours, the JTF troops in response to a distress call swiftly deployed to a suspected bandit route and successfully ambushed and engaged a group of armed bandits at Dayi village, who had earlier rustled cattle from Mainika village.
“On encountering the Joint Task Force troops, the bandits fled in disarray towards Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, abandoning the rustled animals, which were successfully recovered by the troops,” the statement partly read.
The recovered livestock comprised 135 cows, 119 sheep, one goat and two donkeys, totalling 257 animals.
“The recovered livestock, comprising 135 cows, 119 sheep, 1 goat, and 2 donkeys, totaling 257 livestock have since been handed over to the rightful owners through the local authorities,” the statement added.
The Army said the bandits suffered heavy casualties during the engagement.
“The bandits suffered heavy casualties during the engagement,” it stated.
The Joint Task Force in Gwarzo comprises troops of the 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and local vigilantes.
The Commander 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmad Tukur, commended the bravery, gallantry and vigilance of the troops, whose morale and fighting spirit remain high.
He also appreciated the continued support of the local community in providing vital information leading to the success of the operation.
“As at the time of this press statement, the situation is under control, while regular surveillance continues to prevent further incidents.
“The task force has been mandated to continue intensifying efforts in securing the area to ensure the safety of lives and properties,” the statement concluded.
