The Internal Border Corps of Nigeria Immigration Service, Kaduna State Command has intercepted I6 suspected Fulani cattle rustlers with over 200 cattle that migrated from Katsina passing through Kaduna to neighboring Southern and Eastern part of the country.
Briefing newsmen in Kaduna before handing over the suspects to the state security patrol, “Operation Yaki,” the State Comptroller, Immigration Service, Controller Nuhu Apang Takum, said they were arrested along Hayin Danbushiya near River Kaduna by officers and men of the Border corps unit of Immigration Service in the state, adding that they were transiting to a place suspected to be Baba-Shora, for onward movement into Southern part of Nigeria.
Comptroller Takum who could not ascertained their true identity at press time said investigation continues even as more officers and men of border corps unit of the state command have been deployed to every nook and crannies of the state to curb illegal migrants and cattle rustlers that constitute the bulk of security challenges faced by residents of Kaduna State.
His said, “I do not doubt the fact that there are non Nigerians among them because they claimed that they were coming from the northern border of Katsina through Kaduna State. I am aware that there could be legitimate herdsmen, but with the security challenges facing the country in the area of cattle rustlers, we don’t want to take chances.
We don’t rear cows in the town, seeing the large number of cows in their company, it’s alarming. It calls for suspicion and that is what has attracted us. I call on other security agencies in the state that we should beam our searchlight along Kaduna River.”
According to him, since Kaduna is the hub of the north, illegal migrants from Sokoto, Katsina, Jigawa and other far north pass through the state to other parts of the state or neighboring states for their nefarious activities even as he begged Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’I to provide them with vehicle for easy patrol and incorporate NIS in the joint state security patrol, “Operation Yaki.”
“The Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai in his proactive approach towards security of lives and property in the state promised to incorporate other security outfit in the state that are not yet part of Operation Yaki so that collaboratively, we can overcome security challenges in the state. He has promised to support us with vehicles and we know he is a man of action and one who is interested in the internal security and welfare of the people of the state. I know he is a man of his word, when he promises, he matches with action.
”I am sure by the time he joins officers and men of Immigration Services with other security outfit, the difference will becomeclear,” Takum further said.
Meanwhile, the leader of suspected cattle rustler, Alhaji Iliya said they spent I6 days on the road migrating from Gida mutumdaya village in Kusada Local Gvoernment Area of Katsina State searching for greener pasture for their cattle.
According to him, Katsina is dry because there is no rainfall to grow grass for their cattle to feed and have to come all the way to Kaduna and other parts of the north where they could feed their cattle.
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