Fifty-three persons hitherto suspected to be bandits were on Thursdsy intercepted by security operatives in Kagarko local government area of Kaduna State.
The troops had responded to distress call from some locals who reported sighting movement of bandits in the Lambata-Kabbo area of Tafa village in the council.
Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who confirmed the development in a statement said the 53 persons were discovered to be herders travelling back to their bases in Plateau and Bauchi states.
According to him: “Security agencies have confirmed to the Kaduna State Government that a group of migrating persons sighted around Tafa village in Kagarko local government area, were identified as a band of traveling herders.
“This followed several distress calls from citizens on movement of armed bandits in the Lambata-Kabbo area of Tafa village, in Kagarko local government area.
“In response to the reports, troops and Police operatives were mobilized to the area for confirmation and possible engagement.
“The troops trailed the group to an open field at Toba village, Tafa, Niger State. Upon confirmatory checks, it was discovered that they were herders in transit from Dobi in Gwagwalada (FCT) and Gawu-Babangida, Lambata (Niger State) to their original stations in Jos, Plateau State and Bauchi, Bauchi State.
“A head-count was conducted by the troops, which revealed 53 herders in the traveling party: 9 adult male, 7 young male, and 37 women and children.
“A thorough inspection showed that they had three motorcycles, and no dangerous or incriminating materials were found in their possession.”