Suspected Boko Hram Rustlers Invade Adamawa Villages, Cart Away over 1,000 Cows

Rustlers suspected to be members of Boko Haram have stolen over 1000 cows, 70 sheep and 40 goats in Madagali Local Government area of Adamawa state.

Eyewitness accounts revealed that the well-armed rustlers, numbering about 30, invaded Madagali settlement at about 10am on the broad daylight on Friday and carted away the animals.

The eyewitness said the stolen cattle hoot-prints were traced by locals of the affected area into Sambisa forest and could not go further for the fear of being killed by the members of the Boko Haram who they alleged were still in control of some parts of the forest.

Confirming the incident, the village head of Krichinga, Abubakar Kanuri said some rustlers invaded their homes and carted away over 1,000 cows belonging to the villag- ers.

He said the rustlers did not hurt anyone adding that they only carted away cattle which were traced by villagers into Sambisa forest and made a uturn home for the fear of Boko Haram.

According to him, the matter has been reported to the military authorities manning the area as he further lamented that the cow-stealing incident was becoming rampant in the areas and called on the federal government to step up security in the areas.

Kanuri lamented that the incident has impoverished some villagers who worked very hard to rear those animals and condemned the act in strong terms. He said he suspected that the cattle were stolen by members of Boko Haram, who may have run short of food and money as he claimed that the insurgents could have sold the animals to make money.