Boko Haram terrorists have launched a vicious attack on the Wumbi community in Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State, killing a local vigilante commander and four civilians while leaving several others injured.
Wumbi, an agrarian community sharing borders with the Republic of Cameroon, had previously been deserted due to incessant insurgent attacks.
Residents had recently begun returning to cultivate their fields under the protection of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local vigilantes.
Sources on Wednesday night, said that the terrorists masterminded a premeditated attack, arriving in large numbers specifically to target the vigilante commander, who had posed a serious threat to their operations in the area.
During the ambush, most of the farmers managed to flee. The commander reportedly stayed behind to hold off the attackers.
A vigilante operative who doesn’t want to be quoted, said the outnumbered commander was unfortunately overpowered after the criminal elements realized gunfire could not penetrate his protective charms, resorting instead to breaking his neck.
“As they approached the remains, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that had been buried beneath the commander’s corpse were detonated, killing four more people and injuring several members of the Vigilantes, CJTF, and innocent civilians,” he sais.
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the incident through its spokesman, ASP Kenneth Daso, who stated that the vigilante commander and four others lost their lives during the encounter with the insurgents.
He noted that while initial information was still sketchy, further details would be provided in due course.
Hon. Mustapha Babani, the APC candidate for the Bama/Ngala/Kala-Balge Federal Constituency, visited the area to commiserate with the affected families.
