At least four persons were killed
while five were abducted in an ambush suspected Boko Haram insurgents laid
along Monguno road in Borno state on Sunday.
A technician working with a
humanitarian agency and four other aid workers were abducted by the attackers
who mounted a check point at Gasarwa village, about 40 kilometers from Monguno
local government area of o the state.
Malumbe Yarima, a commercial
driver who witnessed the attack revealed that the insurgents spent two
hours unchallenged at Gasarwa.
“We left Monguno at about 7:30 am
heading to Maiduguri but on reaching Gasarwa, we fell into the hands of Boko
Haram militants who were at a check point,” he said.
“The Boko Haram militants had
three gun trucks and wielded with anti-air craft gun. They were well kitted in
military camouflage.
“When we got to the scene, we met
about 20 vehicles already in the queue. Three of the insurgents spoke fluent
English while others spoke in Kanuri and Hausa. They asked used to alight from
our vehicles and requested our identification cards.
“Those identified as soldiers,
policemen, government, Christians and humanitarian workers were asked to step
aside.
“Soldiers, civilian joint force
and Christians and the other aid workers were taken to the road side and killed
instantly.
“In my own vehicle, one person
was killed. Although, his identity could not be ascertained, he was among those
shot dead. They took our videos and pictures and documented us. Two of the
insurgents who asked their colleagues to spare our lives, preached to us to
repent and join the forces of God in the quest to establish Islamic caliphate
“We were later released around
10am. Apparently, I couldn’t tell you how many number of people that were
abducted but they were aid workers.
“One other person in the queue we
met at Munguno checking point was crying. When we asked what happened, he said
his wife was among the women that were abducted.”
Bulama Biu, a senior military
officer involved in the fight against insurgency, confirmed the attack,
describing it as unfortunate.
Biu said troops had been deployed
to clear the area and ensure safety of other motorists plying the road.
An aid worker, who spoke off the record, said two of those abducted by the insurgents were
staff of his organisation.
He said the victims were on their
way to Maiduguri “after providing life-saving assistance” to individuals and
families affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the northeast.
“Right now the office is working
on the situation. We have forwarded the report to the UNOCHA for prompt
action,” the aid worker said.
The development comes less than
two weeks after Boko Haram fighters killed some abducted aid workers.
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