Seven Arrested over Plateau Killings, Cattle Rustling as Vigilantes Neutralise 4 Bandits in Zamfara
Security forces have arrested seven suspects in connection with the killing of residents and cattle rustling in Plateau State, while in a separate incident in Zamfara State, four armed bandits were neutralised during a clash with local vigilantes, leaving one civilian dead.
In Plateau State, a combined team of troops from Operation Enduring Peace, police personnel and local hunters arrested seven suspects linked to the deadly attack on Bong/Kook village in Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area. The arrests were carried out on January 4 at about 9:30 p.m. at Namu, as the suspects were reportedly travelling towards Nasarawa State.
Security sources said the suspects, all indigenes of Plateau State, included both the alleged masterminds and direct participants in the attack on Kook village in Doemak District. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of January 2, involved armed men who invaded the community, rustled cattle and shot dead residents.
The Plateau State Police Command had earlier confirmed that at least seven persons were killed and several others injured during the attack, adding that two of the assailants were neutralised during a pursuit by security forces.
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According to the sources, a joint team of soldiers, police, operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and vigilantes chased the attackers, who allegedly shot residents to facilitate their escape before abandoning the rustled cattle. Preliminary investigations, security agencies said, linked the incident to criminal cattle rustling activities rather than ethnic or religious motives.
The rustled cows have since been recovered, while security deployment has been intensified across the area. Efforts are ongoing to track down other fleeing suspects and recover weapons used during the attack.
Meanwhile, in Zamfara State, at least four armed bandits were killed during a confrontation with local vigilantes in Garagin Mayanchi village, Maru Local Government Area.
Sources said the incident occurred on January 4 at about 11:00 p.m. when armed bandits ambushed villagers returning from escorting a groom in Mayanchi town. A gun battle reportedly ensued between the attackers and vigilantes, resulting in the death of one civilian.
The sources added that the vigilantes succeeded in neutralising four of the bandits. However, by the time security personnel arrived at the scene, the bodies of the slain bandits had allegedly been removed by their associates. The deceased villager was taken to a hospital, after which his body was released to his family for burial.
Security agencies said investigations into both incidents were ongoing as part of broader efforts to curb criminal violence and restore lasting peace in the affected communities.
By PRNigeria
