Cattle rustlers kill five in Niger-Punch

Enyioha Opara, Minna

Cattle rustlers on Monday attacked Gbada community in Kaure, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State and killed five persons.

 Our correspondent learnt that the attack was carried out by about 30 cattle rustlers at about 3am and that many villagers were injured, others missing, while many cows were taken away.

The senator representing Niger East, David Umaru, has condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric and heinous, calling on security agencies to bring the perpetrators to book.

Speaking in a telephone interview with our correspondent in Minna, Umaru explained that he got a call from some members of the community informing him of the invasion and he promptly alerted the police in the state.

The Chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area, Hassan Jagaba, who confirmed the attack to journalists, described the onslaught as inhuman and devastating.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the state police command, DSP Bala Elkana, also confirmed the report, saying that the invaders fled to the neighbouring Kaduna State.

He said the anti-cattle rustling team was combing the forest through which the fleeing rustlers escaped.

He said that no arrest had been made in respect of the attack.