By Sadiq Abubakar Maiduguri–
A suspected Boko Haram cattle rustling syndicate was on Sunday busted by troops who engaged the armed gang in a shoot-out that left three of them dead and a soldier injured.
Th e group, believed to be Boko Haram herders, was intercepted in Lingir village of Borno state while attempting to fl ock some rustled cows into the Maiduguri cattle market.
Spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, Sani Usman, said the armed herders were attacked by troops of 8 Division Mobile Strike Team deployed at Forward Operations Base, Mairari, on Sunday.
He said the troops eff ectively ambushed the herders and engaged them in a shootout.
“During the encounter, the ambush party neutralised three Boko Haram terrorists, while some of them have escaped with gunshot wounds,” Usman, a brigadier-general said.
“Th e troops recovered fi ve AK-47 rifl es, fi ve Magazines, 11 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, 1 metal box containing clothes and a horse.
“Unfortunately, one of our soldiers sustained an injury during the operation.
Th e injured soldier has been evacuated to 8 Task Force Division Hospital and Medical Services at Monguno where he is receiving further medical attention.
“Th e Mobile Strike Team also followed up with pursuit up to Buruwa village around Gassawa general area where they neutralised an additional Boko Haram terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle from him.
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