Police foil cattle rustling attempt, shoot suspected bandit in Katsina

Police officers in Katsina State have foiled a cattle rustling attempt after engaging suspected bandits in a gun battle in Wakaji village, Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area.

The incident was disclosed in a post shared on X by security analyst, Bakatsine on Tuesday.

According to the post, the attack occurred on Monday night when suspected bandits invaded the village in an apparent attempt to steal cattle.

“Officers from the Dutsin-Ma Police Division responded swiftly after receiving reports of the attack and confronted the assailants in a fierce exchange of gunfire.

“During the operation, one suspected bandit was shot, while the remaining attackers fled the scene,” Bakatsine wrote.

Bakatsine said the gun battle caused several of the rustled cattle to scatter into nearby bushes, although the fleeing bandits reportedly escaped with 10 cattle.

The attack also left one resident with a gunshot wound to the shoulder.

The injured villager was immediately taken to the General Hospital in Dutsin-Ma, where the victim was stabilised and is currently receiving treatment.

Bakatsine commended the quick response of the police, describing it as an example of how rapid intervention can reduce the impact of attacks on rural communities.

“The prompt response by the Dutsin-Ma Police Division is commendable and shows the importance of rapid intervention in mitigating attacks and protecting lives,” the security analyst wrote.