Eight hunters have been killed in a gun battle with armed bandits in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State. The incident happened on Tuesday when a large number of bandits invaded Hunyo/Sabon Wuri village in Dusai Mahoro District of Mariga and rustled an unspecified number of cattle. A senior police source in the state confirmed the information on Wednesday, adding that a report on the incident had already been forwarded to the police headquarters in Minna. It was learnt that the bandits, while fleeing with the stolen animals, were intercepted by the hunters between Kakihum and Kumbashi villages, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The hunters were overpowered in the confrontation, leaving eight of them dead. Their remains were later evacuated to the General Hospital, Bangi, by security operatives.