13 Killed In Boko Haram Attacks On Nigerian Borno Towns

Aftermath of an attack on Bama prison in northeastern Nigeria. The attack broke out 100 prisoners on May 7, 2013., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

13 Killed in Boko Haram Attacks on Borno Towns

22 Aug 2013
Michael Olugbode
Nigerian ThisDay

Thirteen persons were feared killed, when suspected Boko Haram members stormed Gwoza and Gamboru/Ngala towns in Borno State, ostensibly on a reprisal attack.

It was gathered that in the last one week, youth vigilante groups presently on the prowl in search of members of the outlawed sect, had recorded successes in both towns, as they were able to dislodge a large number of terrorists hitherto residents in the towns.

The successes of the youth vigilante groups were believed to be as a result of the information and physical supports from the residents of the towns.

A security source told journalists that the Boko Haram sect, whose members had been previously apprehended at Gamboru/Ngala last week by the youth volunteers, had stormed the town early Wednesday.

A member of Gwoza Emirate Council, who accompanied the Emir of Gwoza to Maiduguri to inform the state governor on the happenings in the hilly town, disclosed to journalists that two policemen were killed in an attack on Gwoza Police Station at about 8a.m.

He, however, said seven of the insurgents also died in the clash with policemen assisted by men of the Joint Task Force (JTF), who repelled the attack.

A security source also said the attack at Gamboru/Ngala occurred at about 2a.m. yesterday.

"The attack at Gamboru/Ngala took place in Fulatari ward at about 2a.m. on Wednesday by suspected Boko Haram members," a military officer, who said he was not authorised to speak on the incident, revealed to journalists.

Residents said the Boko Haram members attacked the town to avenge the arrest of one of their members by the youth volunteers, popularly called Civilian JTF from Maiduguri who came to launch the volunteer group at Gamboru-Ngala.

Another resident told journalists that: "Four people were killed when the insurgents opened fire on a house, while eight people sustained injuries from gunshots."

THISDAY gathered that Gamboru/Ngala, a border town with Chad, is a commercial town about 150 kilometers east of Maiduguri, Borno State capital and Boko Haram stronghold, while Gwoza, a hilly town has various outlets into Cameroon and 135 kilometers from Maiduguri.