Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has visited the scene of attack at Auno along the Maiduguri – Damaturu road where 30 people were
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has visited the scene of attack at Auno along the Maiduguri – Damaturu road where 30 people were killed and 18 vehicles destroyed by Boko Haram militants who stormed the area at about 9:50pm on Sunday.
The military authority and the Police is yet to make statement to the effect. However, those who followed the governor and other security sources confirmed that aside the 30 people that were killed in the attack, the insurgents abducted passengers in three buses.
Residents of the area told the governor that, when the insurgents stormed the area and started shooting, they all fled to the bushes only to return home this morning (Monday) to witness such a devastation by the Boko Haram militants.
Alkali Ibrahim, a resident of Auno said that at the time of the attack, there was no military presence in the area except for vehicles who arrived late and met the unfortunate incident as they fall victim in the attack. Also, a source said that the insurgents came with superior power and chase security operatives before carrying out their evil acts. They were also said to have abducted many persons, including women and children.
The attack comes shortly after Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, said insurgents have resorted to attacking “soft targets” — including road travellers. In a recent interview, Buratai said the war against Boko Haram which has lasted for more than 10 years has improved from what it used to be years ago, although there has been a “minimal resurgence”.
“They will promote propaganda, to the effect that all the institutions of government would be seen to be ineffective. This is what they are doing. They are exploiting the fault lines in our economic and political endeavours to expand the gulf of so-called discord and acrimony amongst various ethnic and religious groups.
Also, President Muhammadu Buhari, on two separate occasions recently, inists that Boko Haram has been defeated.
Governor Zulum who was worried over the incident remained speechless at the destruction of lives and property as he was taken round. He, however, asked members of the civilian JTF, and hunters to remain vigilant and work with the military and police to ensure that such incident does not occur again.
