Plateau Safe Haven Team Rewarded for Rejecting N1.5m Bribe from Cattle Rustlers
Plateau Safe Haven Team Rewarded for Rejecting N1.5m Bribe from Cattle Rustlers – Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) recently recognized and rewarded eight Special Task Force personnel for their integrity in turning down a 1.5 million naira bribe from suspected cattle rustlers in Plateau State.
The commendation came after the personnel, stationed at OPSH Sector 4, intercepted 30 rustled cows at the Bisichi checkpoint in Barkin Ladi local government area.
According to a statement from the Nigerian Army on February 27, 2024, the intercepted cattle belonged to Shehu Umar, having been rustled in Mangu and en route to an undisclosed location.
When the occupants of the vehicle, Anas Usman (20 years) and Gyang Cholly (42 years), attempted to bribe the troops during a stop and search operation, the personnel rejected the monetary offer.
The suspects were subsequently arrested, and the bribe money was confiscated.
During the reward ceremony, Major General Abubakar, the commander of Operation SAFE HAVEN, presented cash rewards to the distinguished personnel.
Major General Abubakar emphasized the importance of maintaining good conduct and bravery in carrying out their duties, urging other security personnel to follow the exemplary behavior of the eight personnel.
Representing Major General Abubakar, Brigadier General MO Agi, the Chief of Staff OPSH, reiterated the commander’s message and encouraged all security personnel to emulate the outstanding conduct exhibited by the rewarded individuals.
Cattle rustling has been a security concern in various parts of Nigeria, including Plateau State. Cattle rustlers typically engage in the illegal act of stealing cattle, often for economic gains. Their operations can vary, but here are some common aspects associated with cattle rustling in Plateau State:
Rustling Incidents: Cattle rustlers conduct organized raids on herders’ settlements or grazing areas to steal cattle. These incidents can lead to conflicts and tensions between different communities.
Transportation and Trade: After stealing cattle, rustlers transport them to different locations for sale. The stolen cattle may be moved across state borders, making it challenging for law enforcement to track and recover them.
Market Involvement: In some cases, cattle rustlers may have connections with illicit markets where stolen livestock is traded. This involves a network of individuals engaged in the illegal trade of stolen cattle.
Bribery Attempts: The mention of a bribe in the provided information indicates that cattle rustlers might attempt to corrupt law enforcement or security personnel to facilitate the movement of stolen cattle without interference.
Community Conflicts: Cattle rustling activities can contribute to inter-community conflicts as rival groups may accuse each other of involvement in or harboring cattle rustlers.
It’s important to note that the situation can evolve, and new developments may have occurred since my last update in January 2022.
For the latest and more specific information on cattle rustling operations in Plateau State, you should refer to recent local news sources, law enforcement updates, or government reports.
