By Onuminya Innocent

Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed that nine persons have been killed by bandits in Tungar Ruwa Village located in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The attack came as Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State yesterday declared that the establishment of the federal government’s ranching facilities in Katsina’s Rugu forest would tackle cattle rustling as well as banditry in the state.

Zamfara State Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Shehu, said the gunmen also rustled livestock, burgled shops, and carted away foodstuffs, among other valuables.

The gunmen, who invaded the community, started shooting sporadically, leading to the death of nine locals and several others injured.

The police spokesman, who confirmed the attack on Friday night, said the tactical operatives had been deployed to the area to go after the perpetrators and to forestall further attacks.

He further appealed to the people to always cooperate with security agencies to clamp down on criminals and their collaborators.

Zamfara State is notorious for bandit attacks.

Meanwhile, Governor Masari of Katsina State has stated that the establishment of the federal government’s ranching facilities in Katsina’s Rugu forest would cattle rustling as well as banditry attacks in the state

Masari spoke in Marshi Local Government Area during the 2021 annual mass vaccination of livestock diseases, including CBPP, PPR, FMD and Newcastle.

He noted that in other to address the serious issue of cattle rustling and banditry, the federal government approved the establishment of ranches and related facilities in Rugu forest

The governor, who was represented at the occasion by his deputy, Mr. Mannir Yakubu, said livestock production centres would be established in the state under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (LPRES).

He further disclosed that the state government would fund varieties of crops and livestock that would produce more in the shortest possible time

“The present administration is leaving no stone unturned towards training and re-training of staff to meet the challenges of modern times, with some staff from the department attending various professional courses in different universities across the country, aimed at improving their skills and expertise,’’ the governor said.

He further called on all and sundry to cooperate fully and support the Katsina State Government, towards achieving its goals and restoring agriculture and livestock production to its pride of place.

Originally published at Thisday