Boko Haram Kills 20, Sets Police Station, LG Secretariat Ablaze

No fewer than 20 persons were reportedly
killed in Wednesday night in two villages in
Borno State by suspected Boko Haram
members.
The incident occurred in Gajiram town, about
75 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state
capital and the headquarters of Nganzai local
government area and Buabilin Ngaura village
of Konduga local government area, about 35
kilometres from Maiduguri.
The sect also set ablaze police headquarters
and a local government secretariat.
An eyewitness, one Malam Modu Ngubdo, a
resident of Gajiram town, told our
correspondent that about 15 people were
killed in Gajiram town yesterday night when
persons suspected to be members of Boko
Haram sect attacked the town.
“They came at about 10pm and ransacked the
town up until 2am before they left the town,
holding the entire town hostage.
“By 10am this morning (Thursday), most of the
people who fled into the bush during the
attack have not returned to Gajiram. I am
worried and afraid. I don’t think I can go back
to Gajiram town now until normalcy returns,”
he said.
Another eye witness, Malam Aisami Babagana,
from Bulabilin Ngaura village, told journalists
in Maiduguri that the sect’s members attacked
Bulabilin Ngaura village in the early hours of
today (Thursday) and killed five people.
“They invaded the village from nowhere. They
just opened fire as they did recently in some
villages in the same local government of
Konduga where they killed many people. But
here, they killed only five people going to
mosque for prayers.
“I believe that they attacked us because of how
our volunteers have succeeded in curtailing
their atrocities in our area,” he said.
The incident attracted the attention of the
state commissioner of justice and attorney-
general, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan, who went
to Gajiram town to commiserate with the
residents.
The commissioner went in the company of the
caretaker committee chairman of Nganzai local
government and some senior police officers.
All efforts to contact the JTF spokesman, Lt.
Col Sagir Musa, and the police public relations
officer (PPRO), DSP Jubrin Gideon were
unsuccessful.
However, one grains seller, Malam Goni Mala,
a resident of Kasuwan Shanu in Maiduguri,
said, “The incident actually took place on the
market day of the town, Wednesday, when the
people were buying and selling.
“Some people from nowhere came into the
market with guns and opened fire in the
middle of the market. They were shooting
sporadically in the afternoon, and people took
to their heels on hearing the gunshots. But
unfortunately, about 15 people lost their lives
on the spot while many others sustained
serious injuries.
“They drove off before the military JTF or
Civilian JTF could reach the scene,” he said.