Suspected cattle rustler shot dead

Bolgatanga, Sept. 24, GNA - A suspected cattle rustler at Petia-Sirigu in the Bawku District has been shot dead, while one of his accomplices was wounded and a third who escaped unhurt has been arrested and placed in police custody.

The Upper East Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Thomas Agbanyo, told the GNA that Mr. Tebela Laar, a cattle owner, detected that his animals were being stolen often and that after he had lost 12 of them, he decided to keep vigil at night with his children. A few days later, the children were scared away by some unknown persons who hit one of the children in the eye with a catapult.

Mr. Agbanyo said the cattle owner however, continued to kept vigil and on the night of September 16, when he heard movements near his kraal and the persistent barks of the dogs, he gave a warning shot apparently to scare away who ever was there.

Instead, the deceased, Mbilla Zaare, Hamidu Abdulai, Jembilile Laar and a fourth unknown person rushed on him and attacked him. He said the cattle owner then fired his gun in self defence killing Azaare and wounding Abdulai, while two of the others escaped unhurt. However, suspect Jembilile Laar was later arrested at his hide out while the fourth one is at large.

He said the cattle owner who reported the incident to the police at Garu was arrested and has been charged with murder.