Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have killed 20 persons in Pubagu, Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, and Mayo-Ladde, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
It was gathered that the attackers stormed the two border communities at about 4 p.m. on Tuesday, overpowering local security operatives before killing residents.
Confirming the incident 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 Area in Adamawa State, nine people were killed.”
According to him, the two locations are separated by a river.
“In total, we have 20 deaths, 11 from Askira Uba in Borno, nine from Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa,” he added.
Saidu stated that the insurgents overpowered local security operatives, gained access to the communities and opened fire on residents.
“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 said.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived on motorcycles and operated for hours, destroying homes and looting property.
A survivor, who declined to be named, 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 attackers faced limited resistance from local security groups.
“The local vigilantes and hunters tried their best. Unfortunately, the terrorists were well armed and in much more in number. The resistance was not strong enough. The hunters later fled for their lives, too,” the source said.
On April 16, it was reported that Boko Haram terrorists killed four soldiers and one civilian in Mussa community in Askira Uba Local Government Area.
The local government chairman, Mada Saidu, who confirmed the earlier incident, said the civilian casualty was a woman.
