The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested nine individuals in Jigawa State for alleged cattle rustling and acts of vandalism targeting public infrastructure.
The suspects were paraded at the NSCDC Command headquarters in Dutse, where the State Commandant, Bawa Boddinga, detailed the circumstances leading to their arrests. He explained that the operations were part of ongoing security measures to tackle rising criminal activity across the state.
Boddinga identified two of the suspects as Adamu Hassan, 40, from Kantamari village in Kaugama Local Government Area, and Hassan Adamu, 31, from Malam-Madori Local Government Area, both of whom were implicated in cattle rustling operations. Seven others, aged between 14 and 35, were arrested in connection with the vandalism of critical infrastructure in Danmanomi village, Gumel Local Government Area.
Recovered items included stolen livestock such as six goats, four sheep, and a calf, alongside a motorcycle, a bus, farming implements, bows, and arrows.
Boddinga stressed the NSCDC’s resolve to rid the state of criminal elements and maintain law and order. “We will make Jigawa a zero-crime state. Our divisional inspectors and area commanders have been directed to intensify surveillance and operations in all nooks and crannies,” he said.
He added that investigations are currently underway to determine the extent of each suspect’s involvement, with prosecution to follow accordingly. “The NSCDC is also probing possible links between these suspects and larger criminal networks operating in the state,” Boddinga said.