Boko Haram terrorists attacked herders at a remote location in Pumbum bush, Askira/Uba LGA. The attackers killed at least one person and made off with an unconfirmed number of cattle.
28 May 2018 · Pumbum, Askira/Uba, Borno
Deaths
1
Injured
0
Kidnapped
0
Total casualties
1
Perpetrators
Boko Haram
Response
Borno State Commissioner of Police, Damian Chukwu, confirmed the incident. He stated that the police were investigating the attack and were yet to determine the number of cattle stolen. He urged the public to collaborate with security agencies to intensify surveillance for the security of life and property
Displacement
0
Socioeconomic drivers
Cattle serve as a liquid asset that can be sold in distant markets through proxies to fund ammunition and IED components.
Trajectory
By mid-2018, the insurgents were increasingly living off the land, targeting the very herders who navigate the same bush paths as the fighters.
Cycle notes
Mirrored earlier Boko Haram attacks including 10 February 2017 – Mussa village raid involving livestock theft and looting, 15 January 2018 – Jinene attack combining killings, abductions, and seizure of goats, 08 January 2018 – Kaje loggers attack linked to resource targeting, 30 December 2017 – Maiwa attack on loggers with destruction of economic assets, and 2013–2015 – repeated Boko Haram raids on rural communities involving cattle rustling and resource seizure, collectively reflecting a recurring pattern in which Boko Haram targets herders and livestock as mobile economic assets, using cattle rustling as a low-risk revenue stream to sustain insurgent logistics while reinforcing control over remote rural territories.
Pattern
Cattle Rustling
Related — Armed Attack
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ISWAP fighters launched an attack on a military base in the Polo community of Maiduguri, Borno State. The terrorists engaged soldiers in a gun duel and initially overpowered the troops, forcing them to withdraw until fighter planes arrived and cleared the insurgents. Many terrorists were killed during the attack
At about 12:30 a.m., dozens of Boko Haram insurgents, some reportedly disguised as vigilantes, attacked Benisheik town. The Civilian JTF, having received intelligence of a potential attack on Saturday, had been keeping vigil throughout the night. The insurgents ambushed the vigilantes, shooting from concealed positions—including from atop trees. The vigilantes fought back, killing several insurgents. The battle resulted in the deaths of multiple vigilantes, with one later succumbing to injuries in the hospital. Dozens more were wounded. The vigilantes claimed they were left without military support despite a prior agreement.