Business · Malaysia Bureau
Armed rustlers strike Sabah village, gunshots heard during livestock theft
Residents of a Keningau village were awakened by gunfire as suspected cattle thieves made off with livestock in what appears to be an organised raid. The incident highlights growing concerns over rural crime in Sabah's interior communities.
LSN Malaysia ·
KENINGAU: Villagers in Kampung Kamansi, Bingkor, were roused from sleep early this week when armed raiders descended on the settlement to steal cattle, with gunshots fired during the brazen daytime operation.
The incident represents the latest in a series of livestock thefts plaguing rural communities across the region. Residents reported that the suspected rustlers, believed to be operating as an organised group, used firearms to intimidate locals and facilitate their escape with the stolen animals.
The exact number of cattle taken and the value of losses remain unclear. Local authorities have been notified of the incident and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the raid.
Sabah's interior villages have increasingly become targets for organised crime syndicates involved in livestock trafficking. The remoteness of such settlements and limited police presence have made them vulnerable to such criminal activity. Residents have called on authorities to step up security patrols and establish better early-warning systems to prevent future incidents.