‘Three killed’ as Boko Haram sets houses ablaze in Chibok

Three people have been killed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Njilang community, Chibok LGA in Borno, TheCable has learnt. 

Residents of the community told TheCable that the insurgents stormed the area with heavy gunfire in the early hours of Tuesday.

A source said the terrorists attempted to kidnap residents of the community while burning six houses and five shops in the process.

“They came in and surrounded the community and started shooting. They attacked around 3:43am when the residents were asleep,” the source said.

“The people came with a lot of firepower including machine guns and RPGs. Residents of Chibok which is about 4km away could hear the sounds of their gun.

“They broke into shops and looted them, after looting they burnt everything down. They tried to kidnap some people but they ran. They even grabbed some persons but they managed to maneuver their way out of their grasp.

“After all the destruction they caused they still went away freely because the army did not arrive on time. They eventually came this morning.

“This area of Njilang, there have been attacks around three different communities within two weeks.”

Residents also asked the the government to increase the presence of the military in the area so that farmers could have a peaceful harvest during this season.

Onyema Nwachukwu, army’s spokesperson, was not immediately available to comment on the attack.

The attacks comes less than a week after three persons were killed and security operatives abducted in Benisheik by members of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP).

In the same week, troops of the Nigerian army’s operation Hadin Kai had engaged in a gun battle with Boko Haram insurgents after the terrorists ambushed soldiers escorting commercial vehicles at Yaleri village along Damboa road.