At least 15 herders were killed and several others injured in an armed attack in a village of Nigeria’s northwestern Zamfara state, according to a police spokesman.

“Yesterday afternoon, we got reports that 15 herdsmen were shot dead by gunmen believed to be cattle rustlers in Bawon-Daji village of Zamfara state. Several others were injured and taken to a hospital,” Mohamed Shehu, the spokesman for the local police, told Anadolu Agency by phoneon Thursday.

Shehu said police have launched a manhunt but there has been no arrest following the incident. “But calm has returned to the area as operatives have been deployed there,” he added.

Like many parts of agrarian central Nigeria where clashes between herders and farmers have continued, Zamfara has been plagued by violence waged by armed bandits specialised in large-scale cattle heist.

The government had launched a military operation but locals claimed that the attacks have continued in remote places, which are not easily accessible for the troops. (Anadolu Agency)