From John Adams, Minna
The Joint Security Taskforce in Niger state is currently in a gun dwell with some gunmen in Chibani, Zagzaga and Guni communities in Shiroro and Munya local government areas of the state.
The gunmen numbering over 50 and fully armed with sophisticated weapons, were said to have stormed a Fulani settlement in these communities and rustle a number of cattle.
According to a source close to one of the communities who spoke to our correspondent on phone, the fulanis were planning to relocate with their animals from areas as the dry season began to set in when the gunmen, acting through informants, stormed the settlement.
It was gathered that over 200 cattle were rustled by the gunmen when the Joint Security Taskforce stormed the communities following a distress call, and engaged the gunmen in a fierce gun battle.
The gunmen after gotten the wind of the Taskforce trailing them, divided themselves into two groups. While one group was moving ahead with the cattle, the other group was said to have engaged the security agents in a gun battle.
No detail yet of casualties from both sides as at the time of filing this reports.
Details later