Troops Storm Plateau Hideout, Arrest Fulani Cattle Rustlers and Seize Deadly Weapons in Major Breakthrough

Troops Storm Plateau Hideout, Arrest Fulani Cattle Rustlers and Seize Deadly Weapons in Major Breakthrough

In a significant victory against rural banditry and violent crime, troops of the Nigerian Army’s 3 Division, operating under Operation Safe Haven and Operation Enduring Peace, have successfully stormed a notorious hideout in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, arresting two Fulani cattle rustlers and recovering a deadly cache of weapons used to terrorize farming communities.

The carefully coordinated raid, carried out on the strength of credible intelligence, represents one of the most decisive blows against organized cattle rustling syndicates in the Middle Belt. For years, these criminal groups have not only deprived livestock owners of their livelihoods but also fueled bloody reprisals between farmers and herders, worsening Plateau’s fragile security landscape.

According to the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Major Samson Zhakom, the September 11 operation was a landmark achievement in the fight against insecurity in the state. Zhakom revealed that the troops apprehended two suspects after surrounding their camp and seizing their weapons and logistics. The items recovered included an AK-47 rifle, an AK-47 magazine, a locally fabricated revolver rifle, ten rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a mobile phone, and cash believed to have been proceeds of stolen livestock.

“The arrest of these Fulani cattle rustlers is a significant breakthrough in our mission to protect law-abiding citizens and restore peace to Plateau,” Zhakom said. “These individuals have been on our radar for their involvement in cattle theft, which has contributed greatly to communal tensions and economic hardship. Our troops remain committed to ridding Plateau of criminal elements and ensuring lasting peace for our people.”

He confirmed that the suspects are undergoing interrogation and will be handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation and prosecution. The military emphasized that this was part of a wider campaign to dismantle the networks that fund and sustain rural banditry in the state.

Cattle rustling, particularly by Fulani groups, has been a recurring nightmare for farming and herding communities in Plateau and other parts of northern Nigeria. Beyond the theft of livestock, the crime frequently escalates into violent clashes, leading to deaths, destruction of farms, and mass displacement of villagers. Security experts warn that unchecked cattle rustling continues to drive cycles of revenge attacks, deepening mistrust between ethnic groups in the region.

In Mangu, the community where the arrests took place, residents expressed relief at the swift military action. A local elder, Elder Bulus Pam, described the development as long overdue. “For too long, Fulani cattle rustlers have tormented our people, killing, stealing, and spreading fear,” he said. “We are grateful to the Army for this breakthrough, but we appeal that these criminals should not just be arrested and later released. Justice must be served so that others will think twice before engaging in such acts.”

A local farmer, Mrs. Jummai Danladi, also praised the operation, describing it as a turning point for the community. According to her, families have suffered untold hardship due to cattle theft. “Some people have lost all their cows, their only means of survival. Others have been displaced completely because of fear. What happened today gives us hope that maybe peace can return to Mangu. The Army should continue this good work until all of them are caught,” she said.

Security analysts also hailed the arrests, noting that intelligence-led operations like this are critical to dismantling organized crime networks. They argue that the Plateau crisis cannot be solved by force alone, but the removal of key actors in cattle rustling rings will reduce the frequency of violent clashes and gradually restore confidence in rural communities.

The Nigerian Army has assured that it will sustain the pressure on criminal groups across Plateau State and beyond. The military vowed to continue conducting raids, intelligence-driven patrols, and targeted strikes on hideouts, stressing that no part of the state would be left vulnerable to the activities of Fulani rustlers, bandits, or other armed groups.

In a strong warning to criminals, the Army declared: “We will not relent until Plateau is safe again. Our message to all criminal elements remains clear: surrender or face capture.”

As families in Mangu breathe a sigh of relief, the operation is being seen as more than just a tactical success—it is a symbolic step in the broader fight to reclaim Plateau’s rural communities from the grip of violence and fear. Many residents now hope that this momentum will be sustained, that the suspects will face justice, and that the cycle of bloodshed linked to cattle rustling will finally be broken.