Four suspected bandits have been neutralised and 35 cows recovered after a joint security operation foiled a cattle-rustling attack in Lade, Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The Kwara State Police Command disclosed this in a statement by its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, on Monday, September 14, 2026.

According to the statement, the operation followed credible intelligence received at about 10:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, that armed men had invaded a cattle camp in the area, fired sporadically and rustled about 40 cows.

Personnel of the Police, Nigerian Army, Forest Guards and local vigilantes reportedly responded to the incident and extended their operation into the surrounding forest, identifying possible escape routes used by the attackers.

The suspected bandits subsequently engaged the security team in a gun battle, during which four members of the gang were neutralised.

The statement said other members of the group escaped into the forest with suspected gunshot wounds.

Thirty-five of the stolen cows were recovered, alongside a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle.

Security operatives have also intensified efforts to track the fleeing suspects and recover the remaining livestock.

The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Ojo Adekimi, described the operation as evidence of the impact of collaboration between security agencies and local communities.

He particularly commended the synergy among the Police, Nigerian Army, Forest Guards and local vigilantes.

According to him, criminals often exploit difficult terrains and boundaries between communities, making intelligence sharing and coordinated operations crucial to effective policing.

Adekimi said the outcome further demonstrated "what can be achieved when communities provide useful information and security agencies respond through effective collaboration."

He assured residents, particularly those in rural and farming communities, that the Command would continue to strengthen intelligence gathering and cooperation with other security agencies to protect lives, livelihoods and property.