TheCable

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have attacked Kukawa and Askira Uba in Borno state, and Mubi in Adamawa state, “killing many people” in the proces.

A security source who did not want to be named told TheCable that the insurgents arrived at Askira Uba in the early hours of the day and operated unchallenged for more than six hours.

The source said they were shooting from different directions, resulting in the killing of “many”; while several buildings were set ablaze and food stuff were carted away.

“Nobody challenged them. They were in the village killing people,” he said.

“Only God helped my brother to escape, but he is not happy because we don’t know where his family is.”

A resident of Maiduguri, capital of Borno, also told TheCable that he spotted a contingent of soldiers heading towards Askira Uba.

He added that life in most of the vulnerable communities had become unstable, as residents only went there during the day and returned to Maiduguri at night.

He called on government to deploy more troops to the troubled zones.

AFP also reported the loss of many lives in Kukawa, a community situated some 180 kilometres from Maidudguri, on Monday.

It said heavily-armed fighters stormed the town and opened fire on police and a local market.

Kukawa, near Lake Chad, has been repeatedly targeted by Boko Haram, forcing the government to abandon prospecting and drilling of an oil company there.

“They killed several people, especially around the market, where traders had gone for commercial activities,” Modu Musa, chairman, the Kukawa local government told the news ageny.

“They burnt the whole market, the police station, government lodge, dozens of vehicles and most houses in the town in indiscriminate rocket and bomb attacks.”

Meanwhile, Mubi, the second largest town in Adamawa state, has also been reportedly deserted as a result of attack from the sect.