Nigerian troops arrest 3 Boko Haram herders with 200 stolen cows

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Troops of the Nigerian Army in joint operation with the Civilian-JTF had on Wednesday, at the popular Maiduguri cattle market, arrested three suspected Boko Haram members while trying to sell over 200 stolen cows, officials said.

Borno State government had in February banned sales of cattle at the Maiduguri cattle market following reports that Boko Haram insurgents had become major dealers who regularly sell stolen livestock to make money.

The ban generated controversy and caused beef scarcity in the town.

The government later reversed its orders following passionate pleas by officials of the cattle sellers union who promised to fish out bad eggs among them.

Boko Haram herdsmen
Boko Haram herdsmen

But sales of rustled cows in the largest cattle market and abattoir in northeast Nigeria have continued unabated.
Luck however ran out on the dangerous group when three of their members arrived the market with a large herd of cows on Tuesday evening.

A team of soldiers and operatives of the Civilian-JTF moved in upon gathering intelligence on the movement of the suspected herders.

The troops rounded up the three suspected members of the Boko Haram terrorists group namely Abba Go Dallagio, Abba Fanna and Alhaji Nwariye.

Spokesman of the Nigeria army, Sani Usman, said the three men had “during preliminary investigations claimed that they entered into Maiduguri through Mafa with about 200 cows for sale at Maiduguri cattle market”.

Mafa is about 40km away from Maiduguri, which is in the same direction where the cattle market is located.

“The suspects further stated that they are part of logistics elements of the Boko Haram terrorists group that assist in selling cows for the insurgents,” Mr. Usman said.

“They further added that proceeds are remitted to the terrorists to fund their nefarious activities. So far, troops have identified and isolated 23 cows at the cattle market.

“Similarly, one of their agent and spy at the market, Alhaji Ajid Umar, has also been arrested. A total of 170 cows were isolated in connection with him. All the suspects are in undergoing preliminary investigation.”

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  • Rommel

    How can people identify genuine herdsmen from Boko Haram operatives? would it be wrong to classify all herdsmen as possible Boko Haramists pending when it could be proven otherwise?

    • Kay Soyemi (Esq.)

      The military acted on a tip off.

      Those genuinely engaged in the business would know each other.

  • disqus_TqtX9FBrCN

    These guys do not look like the main boko haram.they are definitely the small guys. Following the money trail would have been more productive and they will have arrested more terrorists. But now, they have blown the lead.

    • tonny

      that is tacti9ctics of terrorist to sell the cow in the market bevause they knows that all the name of them have already publish on paper .
      i believe that millitaru is doing well and let pray to GOD to assist them

  • ANWANKANG

    Ok, we are watching u ppl, the incessant attack by herdsmen on enugu citizen was said to be bokoharam members, The moslem should know this: nigeria does not belongs to them, if event of any herdsmen attack is attempt in Calabar, then they country should prepare to have a mass burial of northeners, even the unborn baby won’t survive, we are waiting for u ppl.

  • Realitytalk

    Kudos to the nigeria military

  • Imea

    How come ‘troops of the Nigerian army and the police are always able to apprehend cattle rustlers and recover cows, but never manage to catch herdsmen killers, rapists and arsonists. All we hear is that they are investigating.
    Why is this government more interested in cows, than human beings. Whatever anybody says about this government they are aiding and abating the massacre of innocent people and evil to the core as long as they make excuses for herdsmen activities mainly in the middle belt and SE. claiming they are from Chad etc. Why does this claim not apply to cattle rustlers. They still go after them and recover their cows. Where is their duty of care towards Nigerian citizens.