Terrorists kill 20 in Borno, Adamawa border communities

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have killed 20 persons in Pubagu, Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, and Mayo-Ladde in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Our correspondent gathered that the terrorists stormed the two border communities around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, overpowering local security operatives before killing residents.

Confirming the attack exclusively to PUNCH Online on Wednesday, the Chairman of Askira Uba Local Government Area, Mada Saidu, said 11 people were killed in Pubagu, Borno State, while nine lost their lives in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

He said, “Yes, there was an attack in Pubagu, Askira Uba, yesterday, Tuesday, around 4 p.m. Eleven people were killed. While in Mayo-Ladde, Hong Local Government in Adamawa State, nine people were killed.”

The two locations, according to him, are separated by a river.

“In total, we have 20 deaths, 11 from Askira Uba in Borno, nine from Hong Local Government, Adamawa,” he added.

Saidu noted that the insurgents overpowered local security operatives, gained access to the communities, and shot their victims.

“I later went there together with the Army. Initially, it was local security that was there, that is, hunters and vigilantes. But they were overpowered by the terrorists,” he stated.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the communities on motorcycles and operated for hours, destroying homes and looting property.

One of the survivors, who pleaded anonymity, said, “Yesterday evening, the terrorists stormed our community in Pubagu. They shot sporadically for hours, burning houses and shops. They killed both men and women after operating for over one hour.”

The source added that the terrorists operated with little resistance from security operatives.

“The local vigilantes and hunters tried their best. Unfortunately, the terrorists were well armed and in much greater numbers. The resistance was not strong enough. The hunters later fled for their lives, too,” the source added.

On April 16, PUNCH Online reported that Boko Haram terrorists killed four soldiers and one civilian in Mussa community in Askira Uba Local Government Area.

The Chairman of the local government, Mada Saidu, who confirmed the earlier attack, said the civilian casualty was a woman.(punch)