26 people allegedly killed by Boko Haram in Adamawa

No fewer than 26 people were killed and several others critically injured by Boko Haram in Madagali area of Adamawa State, eyewitnesses said.

It was gathered that suspected  Boko Haram’s gunmen rode motorcycles in large numbers at about 7:00 pm on Monday.

“Many fell victim of the attack, I saw corpses of 26 people who were killed, several others critically injured and taken to hospital,” a local vigilante said.

Abawu Maina Ularamu, a former Madagali local government chairman added: “They burnt several shops and many homes. They also stole food.

“As I am talking, we are living in an atmosphere of despair and agony for this attack, over 20 were killed, while many were injured and rushed to the hospital.”

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“There is no doubt the attackers came from Sambisa. We experience such periodic attacks from Boko Haram, who usually look for food.

“Residents flee for fear of uncertainty; the Boko Haram are not far away from us, any slight opportunity they may strike again,’’  he said.

“It could be recalled last week that the insurgents attacked three villages on their way out, they ran into a group of vigilantes on patrol in Kuda village, who engaged them in a shoot-out, killed two of the attackers.”

The state police spokesman, Othman Abubakar confirmed the attack, said: “Yes, I was briefed that members of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents attacked the village, though I am yet to get the casualty figures but the security operatives were deployed are on the top of the situation.’’

Adamawa was said to have been cleared of Boko Haram in late 2015, after they rampaged the northeast, seizing towns and territories.

But attacks have continued in the north of the state, particularly around Madagali, which borders Borno State and the militants’ Sambisa Forest stronghold.

The insurgency began in 2009 and has since killed at least 20,000 people and made more than 2.6 million others homeless.