Stolen Cows Traced from Plateau to Nasarawa as Police Arrest Buyer Linked to Paramount Ruler
Security operatives in Nasarawa State have intercepted a consignment of cattle allegedly rustled from Plateau State, leading to the arrest of a suspect who claimed to have purchased the animals from a paramount ruler.
The operation followed credible intelligence received by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Lafia on April 19 about suspicious livestock transactions at the Lafia cattle market.
Acting swiftly, detectives moved to the scene and apprehended Alhaji Ziya-U Inusa, a resident of Dengi in Plateau State, who was found with eleven cows believed to have been stolen.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to purchasing twelve cows from a paramount ruler in Plateau State, although he transported only eleven due to limited space in his vehicle.
Further investigations identified Abdullahi Adamu, a resident of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, as the rightful owner of the recovered livestock.
Adamu stated that the animals were part of a herd of 57 cattle rustled in May 2025 by armed youths in his community, adding that previous recovery efforts had failed.
Security sources confirmed that the recovered cattle have been secured, while investigations continue to uncover the network behind the rustling and illicit sale, including the alleged involvement of intermediaries and buyers.
The incident highlights a persistent pattern of livestock theft in Plateau State, particularly in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Mangu Local Government Areas, where attacks on pastoralist communities have intensified in recent months.
Recent operations by security forces under Operation Enduring Peace have led to multiple recoveries of rustled cattle. On April 16, troops responded to a rustling incident in Mangu, although suspects fled before their arrival.
On April 15, 48 cattle were recovered in Yelwa village, Heipang District of Barkin Ladi, while on April 13, troops foiled another rustling attempt in Bassa, recovering 92 cattle after suspects abandoned the animals.
Authorities say such incidents continue to fuel cycles of reprisal attacks, worsening tensions across affected communities.
