Scores Drown As Boko Haram Kills Dozens In Yobe Village

SAN FRANCISCO, August 18, (THEWILL) – Rampaging Boko Haram gunmen, numbering over 50 and heavily armed, Friday, stormed Kukuwa – Gari in Gulani Local Government Area of Yobe State, killing no fewer than 60 persons.

Confirming the attack, a member of the local vigilante group in the area, Mohammed Ibrahim, told THEWILL as follows: “Most of the villagers were drowned in the river which was flooded by the heavy rainfall while others were shot dead by the terrorists.

“The terrorists invaded Kukuwa village and its surroundings on motorcycles and pick-up trucks and started shooting at every possible target.

“Some of us in the local vigilante group and some few security officials could not withstand the Boko Haram terrorists firepower as they were over 50 and were heavily armed.”

He added that the local vigilante members were forced to scamper for safety and when they returned, they counted no fewer than 60 dead bodies, saying most of them were found at the river bank.

Corroborating the account, a local resident, Shehu Ali , who said he escaped being killed by the whiskers, stressed that many more dead bodies were found at the river bank after the initial count on Friday.

“I was able to hide in the bush for two days, when I came out, many dead bodies far more than 60 were seen close to the river bank. Most of us could not communicate with people in Damaturu, the state capital, because telecommunication masts have been blown off by the insurgents in the area,” he told THEWILL.

Spokesman for the State Police Command, Mr. Toyin Gbadegesin, confirmed the attack, though he was silent on the casualty figure.

“I can confirm that there was an attack at Kukuwa village and the police and other security operatives were able to repel the Boko Haram attackers, we are not aware of the high death toll,” Gbadegesin said.