ZCZC
BFF-34
NIGERIA-CRIME-KADUNA
Cattle thieves kill 17 in NW Nigeria: police
KANO, Nigeria, March 15, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – At least 17 people, including
civilian militia members, were killed in clashes with cattle thieves in
northwest Nigeria, police said on Friday.
Armed bandits attacked Jan Ruwa village in the Birnin Gwari district of
Kaduna state on Tuesday and stole livestock, leading to clashes with a
militia force.
Kaduna state police spokesman Yakubu Sabo said the bandits took away “many
cows” but the vigilantes fought them to try to reclaim the stolen herd.
“In the process, the bodies of 15 vigilantes and two others were
recovered,” he added in a statement.
The Birnin Gwari area of Kaduna state has in recent years become notorious
for cattle rustling and kidnapping for ransom, forcing many local people to
flee for their own safety.
Gangs are known to roam on motorbikes on the hunt for victims, often
crossing over into neighbouring Zamfara state.
Kidnap victims are often released within days if the ransom is paid but
residents say they can be killed if no money is forthcoming, and their bodies
dumped in the bush.
The attacks in farming communities is one of a number of security issues
faced by President Muhammadu Buhari, who has been criticised for failing to
protect lives and property.
Amnesty International last year said communities in Zamfara were “at the
mercy” of armed bandits who had killed at least 371 people in the first six
months of 2018.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1947HRS