5:T782,

No fewer than 40 people, including teenagers, were killed, weekend, when suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked three villages of Chuha A, Chuha B, and Korongilim in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State.

The attackers, according to sources, destroyed houses, shops and vehicles after carting away foodstuff and livestock.

A community youth leader in Chibok, Mallam Yakubu Joshua, who confirmed the incident on phone yesterday, said: “Some suspected Boko Haram terrorists invaded Chuha A, Chuha B and Korongilim villages of Chibok council of Borno State and killed over 40 persons.

“The terrorists injured many other villagers, burnt many houses and made away with our foodstuff. The attack, which commenced at 7 a.m. yesterday lasted over five hours before military intervened.

“I and some other residents of Chibok had made several telephone calls to the military, unfortunately they (military) only started bombing the surrounding area of the attack after over 40 members of our community had been killed.

“The lifeless bodies of our people are still littered in the three villages as I speak, but our present fear is that many innocent villagers may be hit by the ongoing bombings by the military.”

Chairman Sector 5 of the local vigilante group in Borno State, Abba Aji Khalil, also confirmed the attack, saying: “Our members in Chibok and neighbouring local government areas are already in hot pursuit of the suspected terrorists.”

Efforts to speak to Borno State Police Commissioner, Mr. Lawal Tanko, and his spokesperson, Mr. Gideon Jubrin, proved abortive, but a senior police officer, who said he was not authorised to speak to the media, confirmed the incident.

•Adapted from a Vanguard report. Photo shows the scene of a previous Boko Haram attack in Borno.

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