Yobe Security Forces Recover 48 Rustled Cows

In a significant boost to the ongoing fight against banditry and criminal activities in the state, a combined team of operatives from the Nigerian Army and the local Hunters Group has recovered 48 rustled cows in Yobe. The livestock, found without a trace of a herdsman or owner, were discovered between the Mafa and Sassawa general area of Tarmuwa and Damaturu Local Government Areas on Friday, September 19, 2025. This successful operation is the latest in a series of efforts by the Yobe State Government’s Standing Committee on Recovery of Rustled Cattle, which has been working to combat a criminal enterprise that has evolved into a major threat to both local livelihoods and national security.

The problem of cattle rustling in northeastern Nigeria has transcended simple theft and is now seen as a sophisticated, highly organized criminal activity. According to Dependable NG, rustlers often operate in large, well-armed groups, making it a lucrative business for bandits and even terrorist organizations like Boko Haram, which use the proceeds from stolen cattle to fund their operations. The violence associated with this crime has had devastating consequences, leading to the loss of lives, the displacement of communities, and the destruction of properties. Cattle rustling directly threatens the economic subsistence of pastoralists, as livestock is often their only source of livelihood. The recovery of these 48 cows, therefore, represents not just a minor victory but a crucial step toward disrupting a key pillar of the criminal economy in the region.

The success of the operation is largely attributed to the effective collaboration between federal security forces and local, community-based vigilantes. The involvement of the Hunters Group is particularly noteworthy. Composed of individuals with deep knowledge of the local terrain, including forests and remote areas that serve as hideouts for criminals, these groups provide vital intelligence and ground-level support to the Nigerian Army. This multi-pronged approach, which combines official military might with local expertise, has proven to be an effective strategy in the fight against insecurity. Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam (Retd), the Special Adviser on Security Matters and Chairman of the Standing Committee on Recovery of Rustled Cattle, highlighted this synergy while making the official announcement about the recovery.

The Yobe State government has a long-standing commitment to combating this menace. The Standing Committee on Recovery of Rustled Cattle and Other Livestock, a permanent fixture in the state’s security architecture, has a proven track record of recovering stolen livestock and handing them over to their rightful owners after a thorough verification process. This institutionalized approach provides hope for pastoralists who have long been at the mercy of these criminal gangs. The committee follows all due legal processes, often working with courts to ensure that the animals are returned to their legitimate owners with proper documentation. The recovered livestock are kept in safe custody until a verifiable owner comes forward with proof of ownership. By this announcement, the committee has requested that the owner(s) of the 48 recovered cows come forward with proof to claim their livestock.

The recovery serves as a powerful symbol of the ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability in Yobe State. It underscores the government’s determination to protect the economic interests of its citizens and to tackle the root causes of insecurity in the region. While the challenge remains significant, the successful recovery of these cows demonstrates that with a combined and determined effort from security forces and the community, progress is being made in the fight against cattle rustling and the broader criminal networks that threaten the safety and prosperity of the state.