3 arrested for cattle rustling in Osun

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Osun Command, on Thursday, paraded three suspected cattle rustlers terrorizing communities in the state.

The state Commandant of the corps, Mr Phillip Ayodele said the suspects were apprehended following a tip off from some of their victims and the general public....



” We got information that some strange persons armed with dangerous weapons were operating and terrorising residents at Onikoyi Farm Settlement, Kuta in Ayedire Local Government Area of Osun.

“Based on the complaints and intelligence gathering of NSCDC officers, three suspected cattle rustlers were apprehended at about 5:30am on Thursday, at their hideout, while two of the gang members escaped.

“Investigation is still however being carried out on the arrested suspects while we are also on the trail of those that escaped.” he said

Ayodele added that five Dane guns, several local bullets, and a local dagger and series of charms were recovered from the suspects at the point of their arrest.


He said the arrested suspects claimed they were hunters, but preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects ; Abu Hamisu, 35, Suleiman Musa, 45 and Aliru Lawali, 42, were all from Zamfara, with no affiliation to the Fulani community in the state.

“We have an understanding with the Fulani community and cattle rearers that they should update us with names and identity of new members coming into the state and they said those arrested were not known to them.

“It is illogical for persons from Zamfara to invade a community and said they came to Osun to be hunting animals, we hereby call on the people of the state to be more vigilant”, he stressed.

The Commandant averred that security remained the responsibility of all and sundry and consequently asked the public to always report suspicious movement and persons to security agents so as to nip all crimes in the bud.