60 Killed In Adamawa Border Village

Barely 74 hours after gunmen ambushed and killed nine soldiers at  Izghe, a border village between Adamawa and Borno states, over 60  people have been reported slaughtered  in renewed attacks on Izghe during a late-night attack.

The gunmen were alleged to have arrived at the village in their hundreds about 10pm on Saturday. They started shooting sporadically while setting the homes of the villagers ablaze.

The gunmen were suspected to have fled from Sambisa Forest in Borno State following intensified military operations to dislodge them in the wake of the recent attacks launched by unknown gunmen in many border villages of Borno and Adamawa states.

One of the villagers who said he escaped the attack by a whisker told LEADERSHIP that the attackers invaded the village while most of the people were asleep: “They asked us to assemble in one place. Initially we  thought they were soldiers on rescue mission, but no sooner had they assembled us than they started slaughtering people  like goats, killing about 63 persons.’’

The source further said  the attackers arrived in seven Hilux Pick-up vans while others rode motorcycles on that fateful Saturday evening chanting Allahu Akbar (God is great).

“Only those of us that were fortunate to hear the arrival of the gunmen were able to escape while several others who were already asleep were caught up by the marauding gunmen.

“They burnt houses, and left with 10 vehicles belonging to our people. Several women and children were found seriously injured. We had to flee the village because we could not risk being attacked again.

“Our food stores have been looted by the gunmen too,” he said.

The chairman of Madagali local government area of Adamawa State, Mr Maina Ularamu, confirmed the incident, calling on the government to deploy more troops in border villages as recent attacks by gunmen in the area have become a source of worry.

He said as a result of the Saturday attack, other locals in nearby villages are fleeing their homes as they live in perpetual fear of Boko Haram.

“There is no protection. We cannot predict where and when they are going to attack. People can’t sleep with their eyes closed.”

Efforts to speak with the military spokesman of the 23rd Armoured Brigade proved abortive, but a top military source at the Brigade confirmed the attack. He revealed that the attackers might be operating from forests close to the Republic of Cameroon.

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