Fifty-seven people were reported killed yesterday in fresh attacks in Borno, Adamawa and Taraba states credited to members of the Boko Haram terrorist sect and Fulani militants.

The insurgents killed 20 people in Kamuyya village, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State after opening fire around noon on people gathered to trade in the open market.

In Adamawa, 21 people were reportedly killed in an attack launched by the insurgents in the morning at Waga village in Madagali Local Government Area.

The insurgents, it was gathered, had late Saturday night first made an attempt to raid Gubla village in the same Madagali LGA but were prevented by the soldiers who engaged them in a gun duel.

The development led to the arrest of one of the insurgents while another one died as result of injury sustained during the gun duel.

They later regrouped and launched another attack on Wagra on Sunday morning, leading to the death of the victims.

The insurgents had on Saturday night attacked the military base at Gubla, where they burnt down an armoured tank carrier. Some of the attackers were said to have been nabbed.

Chairman of Madagali Local Government, James Abawu Watharda, confirmed the two attacks, but could not give details of those that lost their lives during.

Watharda, who said soldiers have cordoned the area and are now hunting for the fleeing attackers, stressed that “people were killed, and some houses were set ablaze by the attackers, while all the villagers have fled.”

Madagali Local Government borders Gwoza LGA of Borno State, which has experienced series of insurgent attacks since the declaration of the state of emergency.

Meanwhile, barely 24 hours after the acting governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar, received the report of the seven-man committee set up by the governments of Benue and Taraba states to put an end to the lingering crisis between Tiv/Jukun farmers and Fulani herdsmen at the border communities, fresh crisis yesterday erupted in Chenkai village in Wukari LGA of the state, leaving 16 people dead, 39 injured and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.

A resident of the village, Mr. Joseph Angwowu, said that the armed men identified to be Fulani herdsmen, numbering over 72, invaded the village at about 11pm yesterday and engaged in shooting that led to the killing of 16 persons.

Details of the cause of the crisis were not immediately known, but it is believed to be a spill-over of the crisis among Tivs and Fulani herdsmen from Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states.

When contacted, the spokesman of the state police command, ASP Joseph Kwaji, confirmed that only three persons were killed by the attackers in Chenkai village.

He disclosed that the command had drafted more of its men to the affected area to arrest the ugly situation, while investigation continues.

Crisis has engulfed some parts of Taraba State for over four months, leading to the death of over 100 people and the destruction of valuable properties.

•Based on reports in Daily Newswatch and LEADERSHIP. Photo shows Boko Haram fighters.

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