The Kaduna State Police Command has repelled an attack by suspected cattle rustlers and recovered 39 stolen cattle in Illa Village, Igabi Local Government Area of the state.
The incident occurred at about 4am on Saturday when armed men invaded the village and rustled cows belonging to three Fulani herders. A 25-year-old man, identified as Abubakar, was also shot in both legs during the attack.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the Divisional Police Officer of Rigachikun received a distress call from one Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar at about 5am, reporting the incident.
He said following the report, a combined team of police operatives, led by the Officer-in-Charge of Amana Outpost, local vigilantes and residents mobilised and pursued the suspects into the bush.
According to him, the team engaged the suspected rustlers in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon the stolen cattle and flee into the bush with gunshot injuries.
He added that eight rounds of ammunition were expended during the exchange of fire.
"The injured victim was rushed to Shika Teaching Hospital, where he is responding to treatment, while the recovered cows have been handed over to their owners," the statement said.
The Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, commended the operatives and members of the community for their swift response and collaboration. He assured residents that the command would sustain its operations against cattle rustling and other criminal activities across the state.