A detachment of soldiers from 33 Artillery Brigade, Nigeria Army, Bauchi, has recovered 39 cows and 43 rams from cattle rustlers in Dangarfa village, Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, of the brigade, Major Joseph Afolasade, said the animals were recovered on Monday, April 3.

Afolasade said the animals were recovered by the soldiers in an operation code-named ‘Brigade Forward’, led by Lt. Haruna Hassan, saying some communities in the area had complained to the soldiers that the stolen animals were being moved from Zomo area to Dangarfa, both in Bura District.

The soldiers trailed the rustlers to Dangarfa village; on sighting the soldiers, the rustlers abandoned the animals and escaped into a nearby forest.

Afolasade said the operation was in line with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai’s order, directing the Artillery Brigade to clear the remnants of criminal elements still lurking around the areas.

The spokesman said the recovered animals had been handed over to the District Head of Burra for onward transfer to the owners.

He advised local communities to assist the army and other security agencies with useful information that could lead to the arrest of criminals and cattle rustlers.