Gatamarwa and Tsiha communities in the Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State were thrown into chaos on New Year’s Day as suspected Boko Haram terrorists, disguised in military uniform, carried out a deadly attack. The assailants killed 12 people and abducted one individual during the rampage.
Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso Kenneth, confirmed the incident, stating that the attackers opened fire on the unsuspecting residents, resulting in the recovery of 12 bodies and two individuals sustaining injuries.
According to Kenneth, the police commissioner and other security heads have initiated a discreet investigation to apprehend the perpetrators responsible for the heinous act.
Eyewitnesses reported that the terrorists, armed with AK-47 rifles, arrived in Gatamarwa around 5 pm on motorcycles and Hilux vans. They unleashed a barrage of gunfire on mourners returning from Gatamarwa and later targeted the Tsiha community near Shikarkir. In the latter attack, three people lost their lives, and a young lady was abducted. The assailants also set houses ablaze after looting foodstuffs.
This tragic incident comes amid ongoing security challenges in Borno State, with the notorious Boko Haram insurgency leaving a trail of violence and suffering in its wake. In a similar event in September 2023, Boko Haram insurgents killed 10 farmers and abducted several others in the Mafa Local Government Area of the state.
The affected communities now face the aftermath of the attacks, grappling with the loss of lives and property. The authorities remain committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice, as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the assaults.
