By Aideloje Ojo, Minna, and Muhammad Tanko Shittu, Jos
30 rustlers have been reported killed by soldiers deployed to flush out gunmen that had laid siege on some communities in Lapai local government area of Niger state over the past week.
The Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Israel Ebije, confirmed to our correspondent in Minna yesterday that the death toll in the operation to dislodge the gunmen from the communities in Lapai local government has risen to 30.
At least 11 of the gunmen were reportedly killed last week when the soldiers where first deployed to the area in the wake of consistent attacks on villagers by the gunmen.
He said the gunmen were confirmed armed rustlers and that the security has successfully repelled them from the communities.
“The security agencies have done a very good job and we want to thank them for restoring peace to the area. We appreciate the efforts of our security agencies in this regard,” he said.
Over 45 armed bandits were reported to have attacked Aza and Kintako communities in Lapai local government area of Niger state before the deployment of soldiers to contain the menace of the attackers.
“The men of Nigerian army have done a very good job in flushing the armed rustlers who invaded Aza and Kintako communities in Lapai local government area.”
Similarly, the Special Task Force (STF), in Plateau state, has said that it has recovered 400 cattle and returned same to their owners, just as it killed two rustlers.
The STF in a statement issued by its Media/ Information Officer, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, said yesterday in Jos that on February 16, 2015, their personnel arrested three men from a cattle rustling syndicate.
It said: “Two others died in the ensuing gun duel with personnel, while 400 cattle were recovered and handed over to their owners namely: Buba Musa, Mohammed Musa, Halilu Hassan Chindo Sadiq and Usman Musa in the presence of the chairman, Miyetti Allah Kanke local government area, Rahmani Aliyu.”
“Efforts made to track other members of the fleeing syndicate is in progress.”
Continuing it said, investigation was ongoing into the incidence while other suspects have been transferred to the Police and DSS for further investigation and prosecution.