Armed bandits have attacked Kasuwar Daji livestock market in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, rustling more than 500 cattle in a large-scale overnight operation.
The incident was confirmed by the Zamfara State Chairman of the Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Aminu Garba, who said the attackers were heavily armed and had monitored activities in the market and nearby communities before striking.
Garba noted that similar attacks have plagued the area for over four years, adding that the bandits likely infiltrated the market during the day under the guise of traders to observe livestock transactions.
According to him, the rustled cattle—sourced from various markets, including animals brought in from the Niger Republic—were assembled at Kasuwar Daji, the largest livestock market in the area, ahead of transportation to southern Nigeria.
“The bandits came in large numbers, carrying sophisticated weapons. They operated at night and escaped through the western axis of the market, which leads into the forest and is not fenced,” Garba said.
One of the victims, Alhaji Umar Mohammad, said the attackers numbered more than 100 and targeted cattle belonging to livestock breeders popularly known as Yantugu.
He disclosed that about 60 animals were later recovered, mostly those that scattered during the attack, noting that controlling large herds in such chaotic circumstances was difficult.
Findings showed that security operatives were stationed less than 200 metres from the market, but there was no intervention until after the bandits had escaped with the animals.