RismadarVoice Reporters
September 16, 2026
Four suspected cattle rustlers have been killed during a gun battle with security operatives in Lade, Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, while 35 allegedly stolen cows were recovered.
The Kwara State Police Command disclosed that the suspects were killed during a joint security operation launched after a cattle camp in the area was attacked and about 40 cows were allegedly taken away.
Spokesperson for the command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the incident occurred at about 10 p.m. on Friday when suspected rustlers allegedly invaded the cattle camp before fleeing with the animals.
Following information received about the attack, personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Forest Guards and local vigilantes were mobilised to the area.
The joint security team subsequently moved into the surrounding forest in an effort to locate the suspects and recover the cattle.
According to the police, security personnel identified routes believed to have been used by the fleeing suspects and continued the operation within the forest.
The suspects later encountered the security team and allegedly engaged the operatives in a gun battle.
Police said four of the suspected rustlers were killed during the exchange, while others escaped into the forest.
Authorities said some of the fleeing suspects were believed to have sustained gunshot injuries during the confrontation.
35 COWS, LOCALLY FABRICATED RIFLE RECOVERED
Following the operation, security personnel recovered 35 of the approximately 40 cows allegedly taken from the cattle camp.
A locally fabricated rifle described by police as an AK-47-type weapon was also reportedly recovered during the operation.
Ejire-Adeyemi said efforts were ongoing to track the fleeing suspects and recover the remaining animals.
Security personnel are also continuing operations within the area as authorities seek to establish the whereabouts of those who escaped.
The police said the operation formed part of ongoing efforts to tackle criminal activities affecting rural communities in Kwara State.
POLICE HIGHLIGHT COMMUNITY INTELLIGENCE
Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, attributed the outcome of the operation to information provided by residents and cooperation among the security agencies involved.
Adekimi said timely intelligence from communities remained important in assisting security agencies to respond to criminal activities, particularly in rural areas.
He noted that cooperation between residents and security agencies could assist authorities in identifying criminal activities, responding to attacks and recovering stolen property.
“The outcome is further evidence of what can be achieved when communities provide useful information and security agencies respond through effective collaboration,” the commissioner said.
Adekimi commended personnel of the Nigerian Army, Forest Guards and local vigilantes who participated in the operation.
According to him, criminals operating in rural areas sometimes take advantage of forests, difficult terrain and boundaries between communities to carry out attacks and evade security personnel.
He said effective intelligence sharing and coordinated operations among security agencies were therefore important in responding to such threats.
SECURITY OPERATIONS INTENSIFY IN KWARA
The latest incident comes amid a series of security operations in different parts of Kwara State.
On August 27, security operatives working with military personnel and vigilantes rescued the Onigbesi of Igbesi, Oba Moses Oyinloye Omotayo, alongside two other kidnapped persons around the Elerin/Ijomu-Oro axis of the state.
The traditional ruler and the other victims had reportedly been abducted from Igbesi in Isin Local Government Area on August 22.
Police said one suspected kidnapper was killed during an exchange of gunfire in the rescue operation, while other members of the group escaped.
Earlier in August, the command also announced the arrest of a suspected kidnapper in Kaiama Local Government Area during a separate security operation.
The latest operation in Patigi has added cattle rustling to security incidents being addressed by authorities in rural parts of the state.
The Commissioner of Police assured residents, particularly farmers and those living in rural communities, that security agencies would continue strengthening intelligence gathering and joint operations.
He also urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information that could assist security agencies in preventing attacks, recovering stolen property and apprehending fleeing suspects.
