Robbers Arrested With 84 Cows, Goats, Rams (See Photo)

Robbers who specialized in stealing cattle and other livestock have been arrested in Kwara State with 11 cows, 63 goats and 10 rams by security operatives.

One of the arrested suspects, Azeez Isah, who claimed to have come from Ilorin, the Kwara State capital and have two children, said he stole goats because of joblessness. While regretting his action, he said he stole nine goats and pleaded for forgiveness, saying he would not steal goats again.

He said, “I steal because I have no work and I am suffering too much. I have done it before; but it was a long time ago when I was robbed of my vehicle.

“After the last Ramadan, I started again. I lure the goats with corns and when the goats come to eat them, I take them. I have stolen only nine goats. I regret my action. I will not do it again.”

Another suspect, Ismail Mahmud (40), who has four children, said he also used the same method.

The suspect who claimed to be a mechanic, said he had stolen 20 goats so far.

Another suspect, Garba Umar, said he did not steal the cow he was accused of stealing. He claimed he bought the cow only to be told that the cow was stolen.

The suspect, who claimed to have come from Kebbi State and have 12 children, explained that he was puzzled when he was arrested by the police while conveying the cow home.

Umar said, “The Fulani man I bought the cow from ran away. I have also given to the police the mobile phone line of the person who told me to come and buy the cow.”

The Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ajayi Okasanmi, on Thursday said after the command received reports of cattle rustling and theft of domestic animals, officers intercepted a Mitsubishi Canter truck on July 24 at Oke-Ode.

According to him, the truck was conveying 11 cattle escorted by six men who, on interrogation, could not give any satisfactory account of themselves. On interrogation, the suspects confessed to have stolen the cows.

“They also confessed that they were members of a syndicate comprising Fulani and Yoruba extraction. They sell their stolen cows in Igbeti and Ibadan in Oyo State. Investigation has however established the owner of the truck and the receivers knew one another.” Okasanmi said. The PPRO further said that on Sunday, August 2, 2015 Mahmud and Isah were arrested at Ganmo area of Kwara State at about 5.40am.