Boko Haram Attack Leaves 17 Dead in Borno

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have killed at least 17 people in Guzamala-Abbari village of Guzamala Local Government Area (LGA) and parts of neighbouring Nganzai LGA in Borno State.

The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, who represents the affected constituency, confirmed the attack and expressed deep sympathy to the families of the victims.

According to him, 12 bodies were recovered from Guzamala Abbari village and given a mass burial in Monguno in line with Islamic rites. He added that five other bodies, recovered from a nearby settlement in Nganzai LGA, were also buried in Gajiram town.

“I am deeply shocked by the massacre of my people in Guzamala-Abbari and parts of Nganzai Local Government Area by terrorists,” the Speaker said.

“So far, 12 bodies of Guzamala indigenes have been recovered in Guzamala Abbari village, while five bodies of Nganzai indigenes were recovered in a nearby village in Nganzai LGA during search and rescue operations on Sunday.

“I commiserate with the families of the victims and pray for the quick recovery of those injured. May Allah grant Aljannatul Firdaus to the souls of the deceased and restore peace to our land. As of now, search and rescue operations are still ongoing, as several persons remain missing,” he added.

Gudumbali, the headquarters of Guzamala LGA, has remained deserted for several years and is still under the control of Boko Haram insurgents. The Speaker has repeatedly called on the Federal Government and the military to liberate the area and restore civil authority, particularly in the council headquarters.

The affected village is located about 15 kilometres from Mairari village, which was recently resettled in Guzamala LGA.