Zamfara Joint Forces Retrieve 329 Rustled Cattle, 175 Sheep, AK-47

The Zamfara State Police Command has announced a significant breakthrough in its fight against banditry, successfully recovering a substantial number of rustled livestock and a dangerous firearm. During a combined security operation, law enforcement agents managed to retrieve 329 cattle, 175 sheep, an AK-47 rifle, and 15 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

DSP Yazid Abubakar, the Command’s spokesperson, confirmed these details in a statement released to journalists on Saturday. According to Abubakar, the operation took place in the early hours of Friday, June 20, 2026, around 2:30 a.m. Operatives from the Violent Crime Response Unit, working alongside military personnel, launched a tactical mission into Gambanda Forest, located within Gumi Local Government Area of the state.

The joint security team encountered armed bandits in the forest, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire. However, the superior firepower and strategic response demonstrated by the security forces compelled the criminals to retreat deeper into the forest, likely sustaining injuries in the process. This engagement effectively repelled the bandit attack, leading to the successful recovery of the aforementioned items.

Following the operation, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad Bello, lauded the courage, professional conduct, and steadfastness exhibited by the participating operatives. CP Bello further reiterated the Command’s unwavering dedication to eradicating banditry and re-establishing enduring peace throughout Zamfara State. He also appealed to the public to continue providing security agencies with timely and reliable intelligence, which is crucial in ongoing efforts to cleanse the state of criminal elements.