Suspected Boko Haram militants killed no fewer than 10 people in Buni Gari, Gujba local government area, the home town of Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni.
A resident who spoke after the attack said the terrorists stormed the town and kidnapped one Shati Gawi, but later killed him.
Another resident said, “ I want to tell you that we lost more than 10 people here because we have seen the security personnel including soldiers and policemen going to the area for response, I spoke with one of my friends there who told me that about 15 people had been killed by suspected Boko Haram, not 10 as the police said.”
A statement signed by the police public relations officer, DSP Fungus Abdulkareem which was made available to Leadership Sunday in Damaturu, confirmed the attack, but said nine people lost their lives.
According to the statement, the youths were ambushed and killed when they went to the bush to search for Mallam Shati Gawi who was earlier abducted and later killed.
He said the divisional police officer of the town, DSP Mr idriss Haruna, released the deceased to their relatives after he visited the scene.
Haruna also urged the people of the Buni Gari to support the police with reliable information in the fight against Boko Haram, kidnapping and cattle rustling in the area.
He said reliable information on the movement of suspected criminals in the society would pave way to crush those terrorising innocent residents of the area.
He added; “I want to use this medium to tell you that we must work with the people of the area in order to get vital information on people’s movement.”
Governor Buni said he received with shock the news of the killing.
He described as sad and unfortunate the unprovoked killing for no just cause.
The governor said: “It is barbaric to ambush innocent persons and kill them without any provocation and for no reason. It is unexplainable that in this holy month of Ramadan when people are seeking forgiveness and mercy from Allah their creator, others are killing fellow human beings for no justifiable cause.
“It is heartbreaking that we have these gruesome killings after a long relative peace enjoyed across the state but this will not weaken us, government will collaborate with security agencies to ensure that there is no space for these bad eggs in the state,” Buni said.
The governor prayed to Allah to forgive their shortcomings saying, “They died as martyrs because they were innocent and were killed while fasting, we pray Allah admits them into paradise.”
Buni charged security operatives to comb the area and flush out the enemies and urged the people to report suspicious movements in their communities.
