‘50 killed’ in attack on Borno village

At least 50 people were killed after suspected Boko Haram insurgents launched a night attack on Dalori village on the outskirts of Maiduguri, Borno state.

Some villagers and aid workers gave the casualty figure to NAN but Mustapha Anka, media coordinator of Operation Lafiya Dole theatre command, who confirmed the attack, did not give casualty figure.

He said the attack was targeted at members of the local vigilance group, the Civilian JTF.

“It was a desperate reprisal attack on the strong, determined and committed members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) and innocent citizens,” he said.

“Suspected Boko Haram terrorists launched an attack on Dalori, through Yale from the rear of Dalori village.”

Anka said the attackers came to the village in two Golf salon cars.

“The terrorists were believed to have arrived in two Golf salon cars and motorcycles before they started opening fire and burning houses,” he said.

“Their motive was to cause rancour and penetrate crowd with suicide bombers.

“Also, while people were running for their dear lives to Gomari Kerkeri village, three female suicide bombers attempted to make their way into the crowd but were intercepted and subsequently blown up.

“During the incident, lives were lost while some people sustained injuries.”

He added that the insurgents also attempted to penetrate the Dalori IDP camp but said the attempt was resisted by the troop which resulted into detonation of Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) by suicide bombers.

During a condolence visit to Dalori, Hassan Umaru, Theater commander Operation Lafiya Dole, commiserated with Lawal Bashir, the district head and entire dwellers over the unfortunate incident.

He assured the people of the theater’s commitment to bring insurgency to an end soon.

Umaru also commended the villagers for their resilience and urged them to be strong and committed in the fight against insurgency.

He thanked NEMA, SEMA, Red Cross and other stakeholders “for their tireless humanitarian efforts”.