Bandits Kill Herder, Steal 40 Cows In Taraba – Rural Security Crisis Deepens

In a devastating assault on Kogon Dutse village in the Old Muri district of Taraba State, a 30-year-old herdsman identified as Muazu Anaruwa was murdered by suspected armed bandits, who also made away with 40 cattle belonging to the victim’s family.

According to verified information obtained by Zagazola Makama, the tragic event unfolded on April 22, 2025, when Muazu left home to graze his family’s livestock and never returned. Concerned by his absence, his father, Alhaji Audu Anaruwa, reported him missing.

A few hours later, Muazu’s lifeless body was found by police officers and local residents in the grazing area, with clear evidence of a gunshot wound. It was also confirmed that the family’s entire herd of 40 cows had been rustled.

The body of the slain herder was transported to the Primary Healthcare Centre in Andami, where medical personnel confirmed his death. His remains have since been laid to rest according to Islamic rites.

This gruesome act has left the local community in shock, with residents describing it as another brazen case of cattle rustling and rural banditry—a disturbing trend that has become all too common in parts of northern Nigeria.

Security forces, in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante operatives, have launched an aggressive manhunt to capture the culprits and retrieve the stolen livestock.

Authorities have vowed to intensify patrols and strengthen rural security networks across the region to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Community Voices Growing Concerns Over Bandit Attacks

The resurgence of cattle rustling in northern Nigeria is causing widespread fear among pastoral communities, with calls growing louder for a more coordinated and effective response from both state and federal authorities.

For context, the ongoing security challenges in Taraba State and neighboring regions have been extensively reported by outlets like Premium Times Nigeria and HumAngle, which monitor security trends and provide data-driven reporting on violence and displacement in the region.