Troops of Sector 2 under Operation Fansan Yamma have recovered 147 livestock believed to have been rustled by suspected terrorists during a security operation in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The operation was carried out after security agencies received information that armed criminals were moving a large number of stolen animals through communities in the area.
Acting on the intelligence, soldiers were deployed to Horo Birni village, where they positioned themselves along a route frequently used by the suspects. On noticing the presence of troops, the criminals reportedly abandoned the animals and fled into nearby bush paths.
Military personnel later conducted a search of the surrounding area and recovered 101 cattle, 44 sheep, two camels and three motorcycles suspected to have been used by the fleeing terrorists.
The Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lt.-Col. Aliyu Danja, said the recovered animals had been identified and returned to their owners.