The Katsina State Command of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, says over 3,000 of its member have been killed by cattle rustlers operating in the state over the last three years..
The state Commandant of the group, Alhaji Abba Aliyu, revealed this while speaking with reporters on Monday in Safana that the rustlers operate mainly in seven local government areas in the state.
“The vigilantes were killed in the past three years during clashes with cattle rustlers who have been terrorizing seven local governments in Katsina state.”
Aliyu said that the high casualty, was because the vigilante members were always in the line of fire during operations.
“The vigilante have recorded high casualty because they always lead security agents to fish out the cattle rustlers hiding in forests.
“Our members are only allowed to carry clubs and other local weapons while the cattle rustlers are armed to the teeth with sophisticated weapons and this lead to the death of our members,” he said.
The commandant stressed that in spite of the high casualty, the group would not relent in its support to security agencies in the effort to rid the state of bandits and other criminals.
Aliyu said that the fight would continue until cattle rustlers surrender their arms to government, and give undertaking to live normal life.
According to reports that the cattle rustlers mostly attack farmers and herdsmen in Safana, Batsari, Jibia, Kankara, Danmusa, Dutsima and Dandume Local Government Areas of the state.
