11 Dead as Cattle Rustlers Invade Villages in Niger State

No fewer than 11 persons have been killed in attacks by cattle rustlers on villages in Shiroro LGA of Niger State, our correspondent gathered yesterday.

The rustlers at the weekend seized cattle after invading Kwati, Basa and Kaore villages in Lakpan area.

The communities’ local vigilantes with the help of other villagers confronted the rustlers, leading to the death of eight rustlers and three vigilantes/villagers.

Head of the vigilantes, Ibrahim Sule, said they confronted the rustlers unarmed. “In the clash that followed the hot chase, one of my men, 22 year-old Bashir Guduma was killed while eight of the rustlers died in the battle”, he said.

During a condolence visit to the area, Senator David Umaru (Niger East) lamented the increasing wave of cattle rustling in parts of the state, saying; “The activities of cattle rustlers are becoming a major concern because they have increased in recent times and the cow thieves seem to be having their way. The only organisation helping to rescue the villagers is the local vigilantes”.

Source: Daily Trust