The Borno Police Commissioner, Damian Chukwu has confirmed the
killings of 29 Boko Haram terrorists, villagers, and a soldier in
Sunday night attacks of two villages in Borno state.
Eighty six villagers also sustained various injuries and evacuated to
State’s Specialists Hospital for treatments.
Announcing the killings on Monday at news conference in Maiduguri,
Chukwu further disclosed that 13 terrorists were killed with the loss
of 13 civilians and a soldier in twin village attacks insurgents.
He said the suspected insurgents and suicide bombers took advantage of
a wedding ceremony to sneak into the villages to kill by detonating
their explosives.
His words: “This followed with multiple explosions, before the
military responded along with policemen and repelled the twin attacks
on villages.
“Eighteen persons died instantly, including five suicide bombers with
their bodies mutilated. The bodies were evacuated yesterday morning.
The death toll however this morning rose to 25.”
The Chief Medical Director of State’s Specialists Hospital, Dr. Laraba
Bello, also said that out of 81 injured persons, two died, while three
were referred to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).
“They are in critical conditions that require urgent medical referrals
to UMTH,” said Dr. Bello.
On how villages were attacked, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya
Dole, Maj-Gen Rogers Nicholas in statement issued yesterday in
Maiduguri, said the attacks on twin villages were repelled with the
killings of six Boko Haram terrorists and seven suicide bombers.
According to him, the Nigerian Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal
team has detonated two IED vests recovered from the killed suicide
bombers.
He said the insurgents were unable to force their way into Maiduguri
metropolis. He noted that the insurgents retreated and callously
resorted to attacking locals.
He said the locals, while reacting to the encounter were fleeing in
confusion from Bille Shuwa and Alkaranti villages with strapped IEDs.
On casualties, Nicholas in the statement said: “Sadly, 15 persons
including a soldier have so far been confirmed dead in the encounter.
Eighty three persons who suffered various degrees of injuries are
receiving due medical attention.
He said the troops are still on the trail of insurgents, as more
details will be communicated for further clarifications.
Meanwhile, a 14-year old Boko Haram insurgent, Rawa Babagana has
surrendered to troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.
According to him, Babagana escaped form Boko Haram enclave in Kekeno
on northern fringes of Lake Chad Islands.
“He is currently being profiled by the military,” said the Theatre Commander.
He urged members of the public to be watchful and discern strange
persons and suspicious activities in communities and report to
security agencies.
