… As Army intercepts 154 rustled cows, arrests 44 collaborators in Zamfara***
Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi on Friday night pledged to support security agencies in the fight against banditry across the state.
Bagudu gave the pledge while addressing parents, staff and students of Federal Government College (FGC) Birnin Yauri, during a sympathy visit to the college.
The governor assured that his administration would leave no stone unturned until all the abducted persons were rescued, adding that ensuring the security of life and property was paramount.
“As a government, we shall not rest until all students and teachers abducted by bandits from the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, are rescued, while additional security would be provided to all institutions of learning”, he assured.
Bagudu, on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari,sympathised with the staff and students of the college, just as he commended security agencies in the state for their quick response that led to the rescue of some of the abducted students and teachers.
Also read: Buhari to security agencies: Give no breathing space to terrorists, criminals
The governor also commended parents and guardians for remaining calm and sustaining prayers to God for His intervention.
In separate remarks, the parents and teachers of the student expressed gratitude to security agencies for their prompt response in rescuing some of the abducted staff and students.
The newsmen recall that some teachers and students of the institution were abducted by suspected kidnappers on Thursday.
However, a statement issued by the military headquarters in Abuja on Friday, indicated that two teachers and five students had been rescued.
Spokesperson of Kebbi State Police Command, DSP Nafiu Abubakar, said in a statement that the number of those abducted in the school,was yet to be ascertained, adding that rescue operation was still continuing.
Newsmen report that before departure from Yauri, the governor visited Yauri General Hospital to sympathise with victims of another attack by bandits.
He also paid homage to the Emir of Yauri at his palace, and assured that the state government had increased security presence in the area.
Responding, the Emir, Dr Muhammadu Zayyanu-Abdullahi commended the governor for placing priority on security matters
In another development, the Nigerian Army Operatives, under Operation Hadarin Daji, has intercepted 12 trucks loaded with 154 rustled cows and arrested 44 collaborators in Zamfara State.
The Deputy Force Commander, Operation Hadarin Daji, Northwest Region, Air Commander Abubakar Abdulkadir, stated this in Gusau, on Friday, while handing over the suspected rustled animals to Zamfara state government.
Abdulkadir said that the suspects were arrested conveying 154 cows, one camel and one ram in trucks on their way to Gusau, the state capital.
He said that the suspected rustled animals were intercepted shortly after they left Yartasha market, around Magami and Jangeme communities, of Gusau Local Government Area of the state.
“We also discovered that each of the intercepted cows were bought by the collaborators, between N30,000 and N40,000 at Yartasha market, before heading to Gusau,” he added.
According to him, men and officers of the military, under Operation Hadarin Daji, would continue to be more aggressive on fighting banditry activities in the northwest.
“We will not relent in safeguarding the lives and properties of citizens,“ Abdulkadir said.
Confirming the incident, Bashar Mailafiya, the secretary of the State Government’s Committee on Recovery of Rustled and Stolen Animals, said that the committee received 154 cows, one camel and one ram from the military.
Mailafiya, who commended the military for their efforts, said that the committee would look for the rightful owners of the animals.
He said that the committee normally passes information of animals recovered through the radio for the rightful owners to come and identify their animals, with relevant evidence before having them back.
