Loud gunshot wakes Sabah villagers as suspected cattle thieves flee with livestock

Cattle owner Jeffrisius Sipin said suspected thieves shot and stole livestock from his family’s property in Kampung Kamansi, Bingkor, in the early hours of Thursday. — Picture by Farhan Najib

First Published: Saturday, 07 Nov 2026 12:42 PM MYT

KENINGAU, Nov 7 — Residents of Kampung Kamansi in Bingkor were jolted from their sleep when armed cattle rustlers struck in the early hours of Thursday.

The 2am incident involved suspected thieves who used a firearm to shoot livestock before fleeing the scene with their haul.

Cattle owner Jeffrisius Sipin said the drama unfolded when his mother was awakened by a loud explosion near the area where their livestock were tethered.

“My mother heard a loud blast at about 2am. After she shouted, the vehicle used by the thieves immediately sped off from the scene,” Jeffrisius said when met.

“At first, we did not suspect anything untoward had happened, though we were puzzled by the extremely loud blast at that hour.”

An inspection of the area shortly after revealed that the barbed-wire fence had been intentionally cut.

Bloodstains were found on the ground near the perimeter fence, confirming that the animal had been shot at close range before being loaded onto the getaway vehicle and driven off.

The bold nature of the crime, specifically the use of firearms, has sparked alarm among villagers, who fear for public safety as livestock theft cases become increasingly aggressive.

Speaking on behalf of the village community, Jeffrisius appealed to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and relevant enforcement agencies to step up night patrols and surveillance around Kampung Kamansi and neighbouring settlements.

He stressed that proactive policing is vital to curb organized rural crime, restore public confidence, and protect the lives and livelihoods of local residents. — Daily Express