The Niger State Joint Taskforce Operations have intercepted a total of 500 animals at the towns of Kuchi and Galadiman- Kogo, Alawa and Erena in the Munya and Shiroro local government areas of the state.
Over 300 cattle and 100 sheep were among the animals.
Emmanuel Umar, the state’s Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Internal Security, stated in Minna that the animals will be in the custody of the state Ministry of Livestock.
He said the displaced animals were the results of the onslaughts carried out by security agencies against bandits in the area, where the security agency also suffered some casualties recently.
“The late personnel family will be taken care of by the government and we appreciate their sacrifice to Nigeria,” he stated.
The commissioner explained that the state government would be setting up a committee to come up with means of identifying the real owners of the animals and if otherwise auction them and remit the proceeds to the state treasury.
Umar said,” the onslaught on bandits is a continuous exercise until the state is rid of all rustlers, kidnappers and other criminal elements. We appeal to the public to support the government’s effort to rid Niger State of criminals”.