Boko Haram militants, clad in military attire, have reportedly taken the lives of 12 individuals and abducted one person in Gatamarwa and Tsiha communities within the Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State. Nahum Daso Kenneth, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Borno State command, confirmed the incident, stating that 12 bodies have been recovered from the tragic attack.
According to Kenneth, the assailants indiscriminately fired upon the residents of both communities, resulting in 12 casualties and two injuries. The police commissioner and other security officials have initiated a discreet investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The assault unfolded on New Year’s Day when suspected Boko Haram members, armed with AK-47 rifles, arrived at Gatamarwa around 5 pm. Witnesses revealed that the attackers, arriving on motorcycles and in Hilux vans, targeted mourners returning from Gatamarwa, opening fire and causing chaos.
Further violence occurred when the insurgents moved to Tsiha community near Shikarkir. In this subsequent attack, three individuals lost their lives, and a young lady was abducted. The assailants, heavily armed and on a rampage, looted foodstuffs and set houses ablaze.
This tragic incident follows previous acts of violence by Boko Haram. In September 2023, marauding insurgents killed 10 farmers and abducted several others in the Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State. The community remains on edge as residents recount the harrowing events, emphasising the urgent need for increased security measures.
Residents, such as Ya Kalu Bukar, spoke to the press about the brutality of the attackers. Bukar recounted that when farmers couldn’t meet the demands of the insurgents for money, they were met with deadly force. Ten men lost their lives, and four were taken by the assailants, ensuring no immediate reports could be made to security agents.
The situation remains critical, and the community awaits justice as authorities intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible for these heinous acts. Stay updated with Told The Press for the latest developments on this tragic event in Borno.
