No fewer than fifteen persons where arrested on Sunday by the Nigerian Police over what it termed conspiracy, disturbances and cruelty to animals in eight communities located in Atyap chiefdom, Zangon Kataf Local government area of Kaduna state.
According to the police, the arrests followed the outcome of an investigation over the killing of seven hundred and six cows and seventy five sheeps belonging to innocent Fulani herders resident in the communities.
Kaduna State police public relations officer ASP Muhammad Jalige disclosed this in press statement on Monday morning. According to ASP Jalige, the police is frowns at the unfortunate incident and will not allow criminal elements in the state take laws into their hands.
The full statement reads:
“On 24th March, 2021 at about 1000hrs some herdsmen reported at Divisional Police Headquarters Zonkwa, Kaduna that some uncertain number of persons had attacked some of their herds; killing seven hundred and six (706) cows and seventy five (75) sheep and dumped them in a ditch.”
“On getting the complaint, Operatives immediately swung into action, visit the scene of the incident, took necessary photographs and expand their investigation which led to the arrest of fifteen (15) suspects in connection with the barbaric act within the following villages; Mate, Unguwan Tabo, Unguwan Rohogu, Runji, Mashan, Mashan Daji and wawan Rafi all of Atiyap chiefdom in Zangon Kataf LGA Kaduna state.”
“The Command is deeply concerned about the nature of carnage perpetrated by agents of doom in their quest to set the State ablaze thus, cannot hold back and watch criminals take laws into their hands. It is however pertinent to note that the Command is not leaving anything to chance in ensuring that thorough investigation is carried out and equally prevents future occurrence of such dastardly act.
The Kaduna Police Command is using this opportunity to warn all persons or group, to desist from taking laws into their hands without recourse to the rule of law and urged all the communities to imbibe the culture of togetherness for the interest of peace and socioeconomic stability of the State, as there will be no meaningful development in an atmosphere of rancour”.
The suspects apprehended are so far assisting the Police in investigation and they will be charge to court on completion of same