The Ogun State Police Command says its operatives have recovered 27 suspected rustled cattle in the Ado-Odo area of the state following a joint operation involving police operatives and members of the Fulani community.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Metro on Tuesday.
He noted that the recovery followed credible intelligence received from leaders of the Fulani community, alleging that suspected rustled cattle were being hidden in a compound located at Okonron Nubu in Ado-Odo.
“The operation followed credible information received on 02/05/2026 at about 0300hrs from the Fulani community leadership in the area, alerting the police to the alleged concealment of rustled cattle in a compound at Okonron Nobu, Ado-Odo,” he said.
“Acting swiftly on the information, operatives of Ado-Odo Division, in collaboration with members of the local Fulani community, proceeded to the scene. On sighting the operatives, the suspect fled the scene, abandoning the cattle.”
Babaseyi added that all 27 head of cattle were recovered and secured for safe custody while efforts were intensified to trace the fleeing suspects.
According to the command, verification conducted after the recovery led to the identification of the owners of 22 of the cattle, which were subsequently released to them.
“The 27 cattle were recovered and secured for safe custody. Subsequent verification led to the identification of ownership of 22 of the cattle, which have been duly released to the rightful owners, while five cattle remain securely kept pending further identification and claim procedures,” the statement added.
He noted that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
Instances of cattle rustling often create tension between herders and host communities.
PUNCH Metro reported on May 4 that the Nigeria Police Force arrested three suspects and recovered a fabricated AK-47 rifle, ammunition, dane guns, and 46 rustled cows in a series of operations across Sokoto State.
The Sokoto State Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Rufa’i, had stated that the operations were carried out between April and May in different parts of the state.
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