11 elders burnt to death as Boko Haram kills 40

Air Force ‘kills dozens’ of suspects


BELEAUGERED Borno State had yesterday another taste of horror, with Boko Haram terrorists killing more than 40 residents of Jakana, a village in Konduga Local Government Area. Among the dead were two policemen and 11 elders, who were too weak to flee the massacre.

The insurgents set ablaze houses, shops and the only standing police station on the Maiduguri-Damaturu road.

But there were reports that dozens of the terrorists were killed in nearby Sambisa forest while fleeing after the attack.

The Air Force,  Mqb learnt, pounded the insurgents as they fled.

Jakana is about 40 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the state capital, and almost 20 kilometers away from Mainok, the village which was destroyed by terrorists on Sunday night.

The attack in Jakana came barely 12 hours after some suspected terrorists laid a siege to Mafa council area, killing over 36 reisdents, including three security operatives. They destroyed over 80% of the structures in the village.

A source told our correspondent: “The gunmen who invaded Jakana village at about 9:45pm on Monday were shooting sporadically, using AK47 rifles, Rocket Propelled Launchers, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and petrol bombs, which led to the killing of many people and the destruction of houses after sacking the entire residents”.

Another source said: “The terrorists came into Jakana at about 9:30pm, killed civilians up to 2am, before they fled into Sambisa forest after sacking the village.”

An eyewitness and resident of Jakana, Ba Mala Modu, in a telephone conversation yesterday in Maiduguri, said that the insurgents stormed the village at 10pm with explosives and petrol-bombs, chanting “God is great” in Arabic, shooting into the air initially, before setting the houses ablaze for three hours.

Said he: “The gunmen came in droves in Toyota Hilux vehicles and motorcycles; and started shooting, killing and at the same time pouring petrol on our houses and huts to set fire. The people in the houses cried for help, but no one was there to prevent these multiple attacks and killings. Some of us had to flee towards the neighbouring villages, farmlands and bushes.

“I am talking to you now from a hiding place in the bush. I cannot get into the village, but the number of bodies pulled out from the torched houses is 35 this morning and more bodies could be retrieved before noon today (Tuesday), because several people were trapped in their houses when the insurgents unleashed havoc on both lives and property.”

Speaking on fleeing villagers, he said: “When the gunmen struck in the night, some of us fled through the farmlands and bushes. Some of the fleeing villagers trekked to Maiduguri for safety. Others are taking refuge in the neighbouring villages.

My neigbour called me that two policemen were killed while repelling the insurgents who set the police station on fire.”

Our correspondent observed that an Air Force jet was hovering over Jakana and Maiduguri, apparently to dislodge the insurgents.

An unconfirmed report said many of the terrorists were killed by ground troops with support from the airstrikes.

Borno Police Commissioner Mr. Lawal Tanko confirmed the incident, adding that many residents, including two policemen, were killed. He, however, said he was yet to collate the casualties.

Among the killed are 11 elderly people who could not run due to their old age. They were burnt alive.

It has been the practice of the insurgents to ignore women, kids and, in most cases, the elderly, but this time, it was not the case.

The senator representing Borno Central, which covers the area, Ahmed Zannah, told reporters on telephone about the killing of the elders.

He said the youth got wind of the attack by the insurgents at about 8pm on Monday and fled, leaving the aged behind.

He said: “The insurgents did not fire any shot, except that they just set the peoples houses ablaze and, in the process, burnt the 11 elderly people who could not flee or be taken away by their children.

“Soldiers who had initially fled on sighting the insurgents later summoned enough confidence to engage the sect members in a fight when they discovered that the insurgents were not as many and ill-prepared. When the insurgents were approaching, they had to retreat and warned that they would be returning to complete the unfinished business.”

Zannah decried the killings, adding: “Most of the people are now fleeing to Maiduguri out of fear.”