Troops recover 1,000 rustled cattle, kill 2 bandits in Taraba–Plateau border clash

Nigerian troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have recovered about 1,000 rustled cattle and neutralised two bandits during a fierce gun battle along the Taraba–Plateau border.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert focused on the Lake Chad region, disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Friday.

Makama said that the operation followed an alert received on April 25 about over 60 armed bandits mounted on 30 motorcycles who crossed from Plateau into Taraba to rustle cattle from a Fulani settlement near Jebjeb.

According to the sources, troops of 6 Brigade swiftly mobilized and deployed to the scene noting that they joined forces with troops stationed at Jebjeb, who had earlier engaged the fleeing bandits.

The combined forces advanced to Komodoro village in Taraba State, where contact was made with the bandits who had crossed back into Daji Madam Forest in Plateau State.

During the ensuing firefight, two bandits were killed, and approximately 1,000 stolen cattle were recovered.

The military said the recovered cattle have been moved to Jebjeb for onward handover to their rightful owners.

Troops recover 1,000 rustled cattle, kill 2 bandits in Taraba–Plateau border clash