At least 30 killed by Nigeria cattle rustling gangs

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At least 30 people were killed during raids on villages in northwest Nigeria in the latest deadly attacks by cattle rustling and kidnapping gangs in the restive region, residents have said.

Armed bandits on motorcycles stormed five neighboring rural villages in the Maradun district of Zamfara state on Tuesday afternoon, firing indiscriminately and stealing livestock.

A burnt house in the village of Kizara in Nigeria after a group of bandits attacked the village, killing 48 people, June 18, 2013. /VCG Photo

"We recovered 30 bodies from the attacks and we have so far buried 26 while four are being prepared for burial," said Jabbi Labbo, a community leader in Gyadde, one of the villages attacked.

Seven other people were missing and presumed to have drowned in a nearby river while trying to "escape the carnage", said Sule Mada, a resident from another affected village.

"They attacked the villages simultaneously and took away a lot of cattle, sheep and goats," Mada said.

The police in Zamfara confirmed the attacks but said only three people were killed.

In Zamfara, cattle rustling and kidnapping for ransom have been increasing in recent years, with herding and farming communities targeted.

Last week bandits on motorcycles killed 32 people in attacks in villages on both sides of the border between Zamfara and Sokoto state.

Source(s): AFP