Zulum confirms 32 killed in Borno B’Haram attack

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has confirmed that 32 people were killed by the Boko Haram/Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists around Mudu village last weekend.

The village is some 45 kilometers away from Rann, the headquarters of the Kala-Balge Local Government Area of the state.

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 The governor confirmed the figure in an update released by his spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau, to journalists yesterday in Maiduguri, the state capital. 

 The statement also confirmed that six persons were injured while two escaped the attack unhurt.  

The statement read, “Governor Babagana Umara Zulum is very disturbed by the unfortunate killing of fellow citizens at the weekend. Pending a full report, the governor was briefed by the Majority Leader of Borno State House of Assembly, Mohammed Dige, who represents Kala-Balge where the victims hailed from.

 “From the lawmaker’s briefing, a total of 32 youths are believed to have been killed by the insurgents. The youths were not farmers but highly enterprising young men engaged in gathering metals popularly called ‘Kayan Ajaokuta’ which are sold as raw materials for steel production. 

“The victims were said to have gone to a deserted Mudu village in Dikwa LGA, which is 45 kilometers away from Rann in Kala-Bakge, in search of the raw materials; but in the process, they were unfortunately ambushed by the insurgents. Six persons were injured during the ambush while two escaped unhurt.  

“A team of soldiers, alongside the chairman of Kala-Balge LGA, on Tuesday, recovered 14 bodies of victims who were apparently tied and shot at a close range.

 “Governor Zulum shares deeply the pains of bereaved families and the good people of Kala-Balge and is awaiting a full report by the end of today before necessary measures,” the statement added. 

Meanwhile, Senate President Ahmad Lawan has put off all his political engagements for Wednesday to mourn the deceased. 

Lawan had already scheduled some engagements for Wednesday one of which was to meet with the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders and delegates in Borno State. 

He was also scheduled to proceed from Maiduguri to Gombe to meet party leaders and delegates to canvas support for his presidential bid ahead of the upcoming primaries of the APC. 

Lawan, according to a statement by his spokesman, Ola Awoniyi, while in Maiduguri met with the governor and the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai, to commiserate with the government and people of the state.