Four suspected cattle rustlers killed, 35 cows recovered in Kwara

Four suspected cattle rustlers have been killed in a gun battle with security operatives after armed men invaded a cattle camp in Lade, Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident occurred around 10pm on Friday, September 11, 2026, when the suspected rustlers allegedly invaded the camp, belonging to a cattle owner, fired several shots and fled with about 40 cows.

Following the attack, personnel of the Kwara State Police Command, Nigerian Army, Forest Guards and local vigilantes mobilised to the area after receiving information about the incident.

The joint team reportedly extended the operation into the surrounding forest, identifying routes allegedly used by the fleeing suspects.

The suspects later engaged the security operatives in a gun battle, during which four members of the gang were killed, while others escaped into the forest with suspected gunshot wounds.

Thirty-five of the stolen cows were recovered during the operation, while the security team also recovered a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle from the suspects.

The remaining livestock had yet to be recovered as of Tuesday, while efforts were ongoing to locate the fleeing members of the gang.

The development was confirmed by the Kwara State Police Command in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi.

The statement said the operation followed credible information received by the command about the invasion of the cattle camp and the subsequent rustling of the animals.

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It read in part, “The armed suspects subsequently engaged the joint team in a gun battle, during which four suspected members of the gang were neutralised, while others escaped into the forest with suspected gunshot wounds.

“Thirty-five of the rustled cows were recovered alongside the locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, while efforts are ongoing to track the fleeing suspects and recover the remaining animals.”

Reacting to the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, attributed the success to prompt information from residents and the coordinated response of the security agencies.

Adekimi said the incident underscored the importance of community intelligence in tackling criminal activities, particularly in rural areas where difficult terrain could provide cover for criminals.

“The outcome is further evidence of what can be achieved when communities provide useful information and security agencies respond through effective collaboration,” he said.

The CP commended the Nigerian Army, Forest Guards and local vigilantes for their cooperation during the operation.

He noted that criminals often exploited difficult terrain and boundaries between communities to carry out attacks and evade security operatives, stressing the need for intelligence sharing and coordinated operations.

Adekimi assured residents, particularly those in farming and rural communities, that the command would continue to collaborate with other security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and security operations across the state.

He also urged residents to sustain their cooperation with security agencies, noting that timely information could help prevent attacks, recover stolen property and apprehend fleeing suspects.