Over 20 feared dead in fresh Boko Haram attack

NO fewer than 20 villagers of Malari in Konduga Local Council of Borno State were killed after suspected Boko Haram gunmen attacked the village in the early hours of yesterday wounding over 24 others who were fleeing into nearby farmlands and bushes.

A resident of Malari village, Mustapha Abubakar, who fled to Maiduguri yesterday morning, told The Guardian on phone that the insurgents came on motorcycles and Toyota Hilux vehicles on Saturday before attacking the village in the early hours of yesterday.

“The insurgents commenced their attacks and killings in the wee hours of Sunday, shooting at any person they sighted fleeing our village,” said Abubakar.

On how he escaped being killed, he said: “We had to flee into the bush and hide and after they left, we returned to pick some of our belongings. I counted 20 bodies; some were slaughtered while others were with gunshot wounds. The number of those killed is worrisome as dead bodies still littered the streets of the village.

Confirming the incident yesterday in Maiduguri, the Borno State Police Commissioner, Mr. Opadokun Aderemi, said these attacks bring to several previous attacks by the insurgents that claimed many lives and property.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has again hailed the Nigerian military for its string of successes in the battle against Boko Haram, saying the impressive performance has shown that the terror group can indeed be defeated within the time stipulated by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the continued push to dislodge the terrorists from their fortress in Sambisa Forest and elsewhere, the dismantling of their major fuel depot and other logistics and the rescue of many innocent people from the clutches of the terrorists are clear indications that the military has gained the upper hand against Boko Haram.

It said the mere fact that the terrorists are now surrendering in droves to the gallant troops of the Nigerian military is the clearest indication that the bandits are feeling the tremendous heat, which had been turned on them.

The APC urged the troops to continue with their gallantry and patriotism until they have finally silenced the terror group that has caused the nation so much pain, stressing the need to step up intelligence gathering to stop the lone wolf suicide bombers.

It also commended the Service Chiefs for their leadership.