Boko Haram fighters have reportedly killed no fewer than 16 villagers, mostly youths, and injured four persons after a fresh attack on Geidam LGA of Yobe State.
The terrorists were said to have invaded Nguro Kayayya village on the outskirts of Geidam LGA at about 9:00 am on Monday when many residents of the town were still asleep.
An eyewitness said that he counted 16 dead bodies after the attack.
‘‘They attacked the town when most of the residents were sleeping. I went there to see by myself and I counted 16 corpses while four persons sustained injuries. They (victims) are receiving treatment at the Specialist Hospital in Geidam,” he said.
According to him, the terrorists attacked the village after the residents, who are mostly farmers, refused to pay the tax imposed on them by the fighters.
‘‘Members of the community told me that they have been asked to pay taxes to the terrorists, but they failed to do so. That was why the town was attacked, forcing residents to flee to safe places in Geidam LGA,’’ he said.
It was learnt that the victims had been buried according to Islamic rites and military personnel mobilised to the affected village.
Assistant Director, Public Relations Officer, Operation Lafiya Dole Captain Muhammad Shehu, confirmed the incident.
He said the terrorists alleged that the villagers were giving information to the troops attacking them.
He said, ‘‘They (terrorists) attacked the villagers for alleging that they are helping us with useful information to flush them out.
”I cannot give you the accurate number of casualties, but all I knew is that military personnel have been deployed and normalcy has been restored.”
