A gang of cattle thieves in northern Nigeria ambushed and killed at least 41 members of the local civil defense force.
The incident happened on February 2 in Katsina state, Nigerian police said. The victims were members of the civil defense force from several villages in Bakori district, according to AFP.
Nigerian police patrol in the northwest region of the country following a 2020 attack (Image: Archyde.com)
Al Jazeera Gambo Isah, Katsina state police spokesman, said that following the gang attacked the village in Bakori and took many cattle, a local spontaneous vigilante group mobilized people to give chase. A deadly clash ensued.
In addition to the 41 people killed, two others were injured in the incident, according to Isah. The attackers were armed with AK submachine guns.
Nigerian police said they are opening an operation to track down the perpetrator.
Meanwhile, locals believe that up to 52 members of the civil defense force have died, as well as dozens of others who were injured and taken to hospital.
“The police went into the forest and brought out 52 bodies of civil defense members in two waves”, said Mr. Idris Usman, a resident of the area.
Another resident, Abdullahi Sada, also gave the number 52. He said the attackers were from the neighboring state of Zamfara.
Like many areas in northwestern and central Nigeria, Katsina state is home to many criminal gangs. These gangs attack villages, steal livestock or kill people or kidnap for ransom.
The jungle area in the states of Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger is an area where gangs hide.
In December 2020, more than 300 students were kidnapped by a gang in Kankara district, Katsina state. The students were released only following the attackers received a ransom.
