A midnight attack by suspected cattle rustlers has left one person dead, three others injured and several cattle stolen in Jwak Deshwar Village, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attackers were said to have invaded the community at about 3:55 a.m. on Friday, going from house to house and attacking residents they found inside.
Residents who escaped unhurt said the assailants, armed with guns and machetes, operated for about one hour and 30 minutes before fleeing with the stolen cattle.
A community member, who requested anonymity, told correspondents on Friday morning that the three injured victims had been taken to a COCIN medical facility for treatment, while relatives had recovered the remains of the deceased for burial according to local customs.
The resident said some community members placed a distress call to troops of Sector 8, operating under Operation Enduring Peace, during the attack.
He said the troops subsequently mobilised to the community alongside members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and community-based vigilantes.
“On arrival, the attackers had already fled after carrying out the assault and rustling an undisclosed number of cattle,” the resident said.
The source added that, as of Friday morning, troops had commenced an operation to track the rustlers, recover the stolen cattle and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
He said security had also been strengthened around the affected community to prevent further attacks as efforts continued to identify and arrest the suspects.