Nigerian Army Hands Over 120 Recovered Cows To Kaduna Government
BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – Over 120 cows and 14 sheep recovered from bandits suspected to have rustled them along Kaduna-Abuja highway have been handed to the Kaduna state Government by the Operation Thunder Strike, 1 Division of the Nigerian Army.
The Garrison Commander, I Div, Brigadier General Jimmy Akpor, who led the team on Thursday said, the animals were recovered in one of the ongoing operation Thunder Strike around Ligari general area, Sabon Gaya, Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
According to him; “We are handling these suspected rustled cows and sheep that have been recovered by personnel of operation Thunder Strike to the representative of Kaduna state government.
“The cows were recovered a few days ago in Ligari general area. There are so many means through which we get information and base on that we plan our operations. 120 cows and about 14 sheep and one of them gave birth to two calves this morning.
“One dangerous trend we have seen is that, most of the rustlers do contract innocent young boys to rear the stolen animals for them.
“In this instance, although the bandit was injured, he was able to manage to lead the troops to his camp where we saw the 120 cows being tendered by a minor. We are yet to trace his parents as at the time we are doing this handing over because the animals need care.”
Speaking to newsmen after receiving the animals along Kaduna-Abuja highway, the Coordinator of the State’s local security outfit called Operation Yaki and Special Adviser to Governor Nasir El-Rufai on internal security, AIG Murtala Abbas (rtd), said the animals would be handed to the rightful owner after prove of ownership beyond reasonable doubt.
He further said; “As usual, having received the cows from the Garrison Commander, the next thing is to hand over the animals to the CID for investigation. Modalities have been set for the claimants of these animals if there is.
“If we are satisfied that they are the owners of these animals, we will hand them over. They have to indicate for example, the date, time and number of animals stolen which will form the basis of the recovery. That we will do even before we allow them to see the animals.”
When asked what would happen to the animals if no one comes to claim them, he said, “We have categories of exhibits. There are exhibit we call perishable exhibit and these animals belong to that category.
“If after sometimes, there are no claimants or there are remainders, then, police will approach the court so that they can be auctioned.”
