At least, no fewer than eight communities and villages bordering Cameroon Republic, Gwoza, Askira Cuba Local Government areas of Borno state and Madagali, the headquarters of Gulak Local Government Area of Borno state, were on Thursday afternoon razed and completely sacked when some suspected Boko Haram terrorists laid separate ambushes, leaving scores dead, several others injured with displacement of residents into the bush for safety.

Our Correspondent gathered from reliable sources that the insurgents who had separated themselves into groups and stormed Yaza, Kirshinga, Kwargulam, Kuda, Shuwari Bayan Kogi of Madagali in Adamawa state and some remote villages near Lassa in Askira-Uba at about 2pm, wreaked havoc by killing several people including aged, youth and teenagers before setting ablaze many houses, churches, shops, vehicles after carting away foodstuff and cash.

A resident of Kirshinga who spoke to our Correspondent on phone, but declined mention, said that about 20 suspected terrorists invaded Kirshinga Market on Thursday at about 2pm and opened fire on traders and customers, killing many of them, before setting ablaze shops and vehicles loaded with grains among others.

He added that immediately after the deadly attack, many residents who were lucky to have escaped from the scene scampered for safety and ran into the bush.

He explained that the whole of the village is now deserted as many houses and property were set ablaze by the insurgents who had a field day without confrontation from either the armless residents or security operatives.

Also, a resident of Maiduguri whose wife hails from Yaza village in Adamawa told our Correspondent that the wife received a message that some suspected insurgents invaded their community on Thursday afternoon and killed many people, setting ablaze the entire village, but luckily the parents of his wife were able to escape unhurt while their houses and belongings were all destroyed using Improvised Explosive Devices and petrol bombs.

Efforts to confirm from the Borno State Police Commissioner, Mr. Tanko Lawal, and his Public Relations Officer, DSP Gideon Jubrin, were not successful as their phone lines were not reachable as at press time. However, a top security source confirmed the separate attacks in many communities of Gwoza, Askira Uba and Madagali council areas of Borno and Adamawa states, saying that many lives were lost in the attacks.

•Adapted from a Vanguard report. Photo shows the imprint of Boko Haram.

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