TheCable

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have killed about 45 people in Azaya Kura village, Mafa local government area of Borno state, in a fresh attack.

Shettima Lawan, the caretaker chairman of Mafa, said the attack took place on Wednesday.

The militants were said to have stormed the village on many motorcycles, around 12:00 pm.

Fifty people sustained injuries, as the insurgents reportedly blocked exits to prevent people fleeing.

Lawan, who visited Azaya Kura on Thursday, condemned the attack.

“How can some people be so wicked to kill innocent people, 45 people at once without any confrontation,” he said.

“There is no compulsion in religion and I am still searching for the motive behind mass killing and destruction by some people under the guise of entrenching certain religion.”

Musa Abbani, a resident of the community who fled to Maiduguri, said more than half of the houses in Mafa were destroyed, while the militants carted away foodstuff and animals.

Mohammed Bukar, an elder in the village, told AFP that the whereabouts of many people had been unknown since the attack.

“We are still picking our pieces and looking for our missing people, especially those who could not be seen in Maiduguri,” he said.

Located 50 kilometres from Maiduguri, Borno state capital, Mafa has been repeatedly attacked by the insurgents.

About 30 young persons were abducted in the village on October 26.