A report that Boko Haram has killed no fewer than 16 villagers, mostly youths, with four persons sustaining injuries in a fresh attack on Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.
According to Naija News learnt that the terrorists invaded Nguro village on the outskirts of Geidam LGA at about 9:00 am on Monday when many residents of the town were sleeping.
A source who spoke to Daily Trust said the terrorists attacked the village after the residents failed to pay the tax imposed on them, forcing residents to flee the community.
He said, “They attacked the town when most of the residents were sleeping. I went there to see by myself, and I counted 16 corpses while four persons sustained injuries. They (victims) are receiving treatment at the Specialist Hospital in Geidam.”
“Members of the community told me that they have been asked to pay taxes to the terrorists, but they failed to do so. That was why the town was attacked, forcing residents to flee to safe places in Geidam LGA.”
A human rights activist, Babagana Aisami Geidam, also confirmed that 16 persons had been killed while three others sustained injuries, and one person is currently in critical condition.
He said the deceased had been buried according to Islamic rites, saying military personnel had been mobilised to the affected village.
Speaking on the incident, the Assistant Director Public Relations Officer Operation Lafiya Dole, Captain Muhammad Shehu, said the terrorists alleged that the villagers were given information to the troops who were flushing out from their hideout.
He said, “They (terrorists) attacked the villagers for alleging that they are helping us with useful information to flush them out.
“I cannot give you the accurate number of casualties, but all I knew is that military personnel have been deployed and normalcy has been restored.”
