Troops of Sector 2 under Operation Fansan Yamma have recovered 147 livestock believed to have been rustled by suspected terrorists during a security operation in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The operation followed intelligence reports that armed criminals were moving a large number of stolen animals through communities in the area.
Acting on the information, troops were deployed to Horo Birni village, where they positioned themselves along a route frequently used by the suspected rustlers.
According to military sources, the suspects abandoned the animals and fled into nearby bush paths after noticing the presence of the troops.
A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of 101 cattle, 44 sheep, two camels and three motorcycles believed to have been used by the fleeing suspects.
The Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, confirmed the operation, adding that the recovered livestock had been identified and returned to their rightful owners.
He said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts by Operation Fansan Yamma to combat terrorism, cattle rustling and other criminal activities across the North-West.