A dramatic scene unfolded on Tuesday at the Abaji cattle market in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, when a suspected thief abandoned a stolen ram and fled after spotting its rightful owner in the crowd.
The incident, which took place around 11:12 a.m., involved a yet-to-be-identified man who allegedly stole the ram from a Fulani settlement in Adagba village, within the council area.
According to an eyewitness, Shuaibu Ibrahim, the suspect had taken the ram earlier in the day and brought it to the market in an attempt to sell it.
Ibrahim recounted how the ram’s owner, upon discovering one of his animals missing, quickly raised the alarm and alerted buyers at the market to be vigilant for anyone attempting to sell a suspicious ram.
With no immediate leads, the owner decided to personally visit the market, where he was stunned to find the suspect negotiating with potential buyers for the sale of his stolen livestock.
“Upon seeing the owner, the suspect panicked, abandoned the ram, and fled the market,” Ibrahim said, describing the suspect’s hurried escape.
Marketgoers quickly notified local vigilantes, who were mobilized to search for the suspect, although he remained at large at the time of reporting.
The stolen ram was returned to its rightful owner after brief interrogations to confirm ownership.
However, attempts to reach the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, for comment on the incident were unsuccessful.
This latest episode highlights the ongoing challenges of cattle theft in rural areas, where livestock theft remains a major concern for herders and local communities.
Despite efforts by vigilantes and law enforcement agencies, many perpetrators continue to evade capture, raising questions about security measures in these areas.
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