Residents of Kirawa in Gwoza local government area of Borno State have reportedly fled to Cameroon following an attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists which left some soldiers dead and a schoolgirl Aisha Muhammad abducted.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the attack, which lasted for hours, occurred on Saturday night.
Confirming the attack, the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO ) ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, said that many residents have fled their homes after the attack.
“Yes we are aware of the attack that occurred on Saturday. However, the details are still sketchy because many residents are yet to return after they fled, so we can’t ascertain what happened to every individual currently,” he said.
Also, Yakubu Mabba Ali Kirawa, the chairman, Kirawa Development Association, explained that the terrorists burnt houses, shops and vehicles.
He said, “On Saturday, around 9:30 pm, the Boko Haram went to the town. So, while in town, they exchanged fire with the Multi-Joint Task Force. After the attack, they adopted a schoolgirl, whose name is Aisha Muhammad Aja. They burnt houses, vehicles, and shops.
“Around 1 am, they left the town, and our people fled to Cameroon. Later, they (residents) returned, while some slept there. Presently, the situation is a bit calm, and most people have returned to the town and resumed their normal business.”
He called on the federal government to deploy more troops to the area to prevent further attacks.
“Being a border community where it is just a river that separates us and Cameroon, we are requesting the federal government to establish a brigade and increase deployment to prevent porousness,” he said.
Local sources said that the kidnapped schoolgirl has yet to regain her freedom.
“They killed soldiers and kidnapped a junior secondary schoolgirl,” said the local source.
The source, however, noted that many families have been displaced, while some are still taking refuge across the border villages in Cameroon. He added that the MNJTF forces withdrew from the community on Sunday.
The military has not yet reacted or issued any statement concerning Saturday’s Kirawa attack.
