The Oyo State Police Command has announced the recovery of 26 stolen cows valued at ₦6.25 million and the arrest of two suspected cattle rustlers in the state.

The suspects, identified as Abu Muhammed and Aliu Bello, were arrested at Iresaadu in Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State following a coordinated security operation by the police.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday in Ibadan, the state capital, by the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Olayinka Ayanlade. He described the operation as a clear demonstration of effective policing and strong collaboration between security agencies and local communities.

“The operation underscores the effectiveness of proactive policing, intelligence-led investigations, and collaboration with community security agencies in tackling criminal activities,” Ayanlade said.

He added that the successful recovery of the stolen cattle reflected the impact of coordinated efforts between the police and community stakeholders in safeguarding lives and property across the state.

According to the police spokesman, the suspects were apprehended following a swift response to a report received at the Iresaadu Police Division. Acting on the information, operatives immediately swung into action and tracked the suspects to Odojaye via Aganyan, within the Iresaadu axis of Surulere Local Government Area.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were attempting to conceal the stolen cattle when they were intercepted by the police. The timely intervention, Ayanlade noted, prevented the cattle from being moved to an unknown destination.

He further disclosed that the suspects had confessed to their involvement in the crime and provided useful information regarding the operations of the cattle-rustling network. The police are currently expanding investigations to arrest other members of the gang and recover the remaining stolen livestock believed to be in circulation.

The command commended members of the public for providing timely and credible information that led to the arrests, as well as the support of community security partners and other non-state actors who assisted during the operation.

Ayanlade urged residents of the state to continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies by volunteering useful information that could help prevent crime and enhance community safety.

He reassured the public of the Oyo State Police Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, stressing that the command would not relent in its efforts to combat criminal activities, including cattle rustling, across the state.