Again, Boko Haram Kills 30 In Borno Villages

SAN FRANCISCO, May 23, (THEWILL) â€' No fewer than 30 persons were killed in three separate attacks on three villages in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State by Boko‎ Haram gunmen on Thursday.

The recent attacks brought the fatality figure of Boko Haram victims to 98 in just five days in the state.

First to be attacked in the recent spate of attacks was Kirenowa town where 20 persons were killed Thursday afternoon. According to local sources, the gunmen stormed the village about mid-day, killing, maiming and setting houses ablaze.

'The militants, armed with sophisticated weapons, raided the area and proceeded to the major market and begun sporadic shootings into the direction of crowd, killing 20 people on the spot and burnt most houses and shops in the town,' disclosed Mallam Goni Bukar, a resident of the village.

The terrorists were said to have ransacked the local market, looting shops and warehouses, snatching several vehicles and fleeing with their loot after five hour of unhindered operation.

'They destroyed everything we have, carted away our foodstuff and burnt down the remaining ones. The most painful thing is that they did not spare even the fleeing residents as they trailed and killed anybody who attempted to escape,' the resident said further.

A local chief in the area who spoke to THEWILL on condition of anonymity however said over 60 houses were burnt in the attack that claimed 20 lives with many others sustaining varying degrees of injuries.

He lamented that no security operative was around throughout the time the attack lasted as he called for the deployment of more troops to the area.

'Immediately after the Gamboru Ngala attack where over 300 people were murdered, we urged the security agents to deploy their personnel but our appeal fell on deaf ears', he said.

He said after the Kirenowa attack, which is very close to Marte, the gunmen stormed the nearby Kimba and Makor villages, where five people were killed in each of the villages.

'After the carnage in our area, the militants proceeded to the two neighbouring villages and killed 10 persons, and set ablaze several houses and vehicles.

'Several residents who escaped the onslaught are now taking refuge in the bush for fear of the unknown. We hope government will come to our rescue because we have lost everything', he said.