By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Police Command has foiled a bandits’ attack on Zodi community in Zuru Local Government Area, killing several of the attackers and recovering 141 rustled cattle.
Residents said panic swept through the area on Saturday when armed bandits stormed the community, attempting to cart away livestock and terrorise villagers. A distress call was immediately sent to security agencies.
Spokesperson of the command, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, said operatives of the No. 36 PMF Squadron in Birnin Kebbi responded swiftly to the report.
He explained that the officers engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel, forcing them to retreat and abandon the animals they had earlier rustled.
According to him, “During the exchange of heavy gun fire, many of the bandits were killed while others fled into the forest with fatal gunshot wounds.”
Abubakar noted that as they retreated, the fleeing bandits dragged along some of their dead colleagues, disappearing deeper into the forest.
He confirmed that a thorough search of the area led to the recovery of two motorcycles, 96 cows and 45 sheep, all believed to have been stolen from surrounding communities.
The recovered livestock were subsequently handed over to the village head of Zodi for safe custody and return to the rightful owners.
He added that the two motorcycles were handed over to the Divisional Police Officer in Zuru for further investigation aimed at identifying and arresting their owners.
The police assured residents of continued security patrols and intensified surveillance to prevent further attacks in the area.