14 killed, 9 injured in fresh Boko Haram attack in Borno •Robbers kill 18 in Benue

FEW weeks after the killing of 43 people in a mosque in Konduga Local Government Area and another 44 in Baga town of Kukawa Local Government both in Borno State, 14 people were said to have been slaughtered, while 9 others sustained knives or cutlass injuries when suspected Boko Haram sect members ambushed residents of Bama Local Government Area of Borno State at the weekend. Nigerian Tribune learnt that gunmen stormed some houses and resorted to the use of knives and cutlasses to kill their victims because firing gunshots will attract the attention of security agencies and men of the vigilante youths, popularly known as “civilian JTF”. Bama, about 67 kilometres away from Maiduguri the Borno state capital had been tagged the stronghold of Boko Haram terrorists and had witnessed series of attacks and killings. The last episode was when some armed terrorists launched coordinated attacks on Mobile Police barracks and some military posts, which led to the death of several security agents, while a top commander of the sect and also second-in-command to the leader, Abubakar Shekau, Momodu Bama with a bounty of N25 million on him by JTF, was killed in an exchange of gun battle with security troops. Security sources told newsmen in Maiduguri that the Boko Haram terrorists have changed their tactics by using knives to slaughter their victims, but assured people of the state that security officers are determined and committed to end the insurgency in the state. Confirming the incident, a local resident in Bama who did not want his name mentioned in print for security reasons told newsmen that the remains of the fourteen victims had been buried in Bama town according to Islamic rites, while the injured ones had been admitted at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) for treatment. But due to lack of telecommunication services in Borno State for the past three months, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Gideon Jubrin and the military Task Force spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa could not be reached for confirmation, but nurse at UMTH also confirmed the incident, pointing out that the 9 victims who sustained injuries are responding to treatment. Robbers killed 18 Eighteen persons were reported killed by suspected armed robbers in Ukum local government area of Benue State on Sunday. The Nigerian Tribune learnt that some robbers invaded some communities in the council area and unleashed terror on the people leading to death of eighteen people. The area, according to source had since been in the firm grip of criminals who terrorize the people, particularly, during harvest season with little resistance from security operatives. It was gathered that the suspected armed robbers who were said to have a strong presence in the area invaded some communities and shot sporadically leading to huge casualty. The state police commissioner, Adamu Audu, who confirmed the report to newsmen yesterday in his office said that investigation was still on going, adding that he had just held a meeting with the council chairman to see how the incessant attacks by criminal could be nipped in the bud. He promised to give details of the crisis as soon as investigation to the matter was concluded, saying, ‘it is true that there was a crisis in Ukum at the weekend, the council chairman was here today (Monday) to see how we will stop the lingering crisis in that area. “The crisis in that area was part of the things I met on ground when I assumed office here, what we have about that crisis is still not conclusive until we conclude our investigation”. Meanwhile, three hundred suspects have been charged to court for various offenses in Benue State. The state Commissioner for Police, Alhaji Audu disclosed this to newsmen yesterday while parading the Boko Haram suspect caught at the weekend. The police boss said that the suspected Boko Haram member who was arrested at the weekend with an object suspected to be improvised explosive device would soon be transferred to force headquarters, Abuja for investigation while promising manhunt on the fleeing suspects.