A middle-aged cattle rearer, Auwalu Idi, has been remanded in Katsina prison for allegedly stealing 22 cows and one sheep entrusted to his care.
The the animals were allegedly stolen during an armed robbery attack by some hoodlums at a grazing camp in Zamfara State.
The police told a Katsina Senior Magistrates’ Court that Idi’s absence and movement during the robbery operation made him a prime suspect in the incident.
Idi was accused of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and armed robbery, offences which, according to the police, were contrary to Section 97 (312) of the Penal Code and Section 1(a)(b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special provisions) Act, Cap R11,LFN,2004.
The accused, who was arraigned before the magistrates’ court, had reportedly told police interrogators that he was out looking for a missing cow when the armed robbers carted away the livestock.
The police, however, said Idi was discovered to have sold the missing cows at Danmusa cattle market for N133,000 which he, allegedly handed over to the cattle owner after interrogation.
The Police First Information Report read in the courtroom said some cattle rustlers stormed the grazing site at about 1.30am on September 17, 2017, but the accused was nowhere to be found during the attack.
The cattle rustlers, who were said to be armed, allegedly attacked and wounded the 20-year-old son of the owner of the livestock, Lawal Sani, who was the only one with the animals at the grazing site.
The FIR added, “Idi is strongly suspected to have conspired with cattle rustlers, attacked the said 20-year-old Lawal Sani, and stole the livestock which value is yet to be ascertained.”
The police prosecutor, Inspector Sani Ado, told the court that investigation was still in progress and pleaded for an adjournment.
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