13 killed in gun battle between cattle rustlers, militia in Zamfara

Thirteen people have reportedly been killed in clashes between suspected cattle rustlers and a militia group in Zamfara.

The militia and rustlers were said to have been involved in a a gun battle in Fankashi, a remote village in the Maru district of the state from Tuesday till Wednesday.

Mohammed Shehu, the state police spokesman, confirmed the incident.

“Our men recovered 13 dead bodies from the criminal gang and the vigilantes from the village after the fight,” Shehu said.

The village was said to have been attacked by the bandits, resulting in the fight with the militia, who were armed with locally made, single-shot muskets.

Shehu said police reinforcements were later sent to the area.

About two weeks ago, suspected gunmen attacked Kabaro and Danmani villages in Maru, killing at least 30 people.

Rural communities in Zamfara have been under siege for several years from cattle rustlers and kidnapping gangs, who have raided herding communities, killing, looting and burning homes.

Villages formed self-defence forces in response but they, too, are often accused of killing suspected cattle thieves, prompting reprisals.

It is, however, not clear, if the recent attack was a reprisal or a raid to steal cattle.

The Nigerian air force, in April, deployed troops to the state to prevent further attacks.

Abdulaziz Yari, the state governor, also ordered security agents to shoot and kill anyone caught carrying firearms illegally in the state.