By Dauda R Pam, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum Wednesday, visited Faduma Kolomdi village in Gubio Local Government Area, scene of a deadly attack, which claimed over 81 lives including women and children and livestock carted away.
A survivor told the governor that 81 residents of Faduma Kolomdi, a nomadic settlement in Gubio were killed during an attack Tuesday in which 13 persons were injured and seven others, including the village head abducted by the attackers.
A survivor told the governor that 81 residents of Faduma Kolomdi, a nomadic settlement in Gubio were killed during an attack Tuesday in which 13 persons were injured and seven others, including the village head abducted by the attackers.
Governor Zulum during the sympathy visit, urged the Nigerian military to undertake a final onslaught that would put an end to insurgency in the shore of the Lake Chad and described the attack as barbaric and unfortunate as he evacuated five injured persons in his convoy for treatment at an undisclosed medical facility.
It could be recalled that “Last year, about the same number of people were killed in Gajiram like it happened again. This is barbaric. It is very unfortunate. The only solution to end this massacre is by dislodging the insurgents in the shores of Lake Chad. Doing so, will require collaborative regional efforts,” Zulum said.
A male adult, who was said to be the only one who escaped the attack, gave an account during Zulum’s visit.
A male adult, who was said to be the only one who escaped the attack, gave an account during Zulum’s visit.
He said “the insurgents in gun trucks and armored tanks came around 10am yesterday (Tuesday). They operated for about six hours and left around 4pm. They gathered us and said they wanted to deliver religious sermon to us. They asked us to submit whatever arms we had. Some villagers gave up their dane guns, bow and arrows.
“The insurgents pretended as if they were there for peace, suddenly, they started shooting at will. Even children and women were not spared. Many were shot at close range. Many started running. At the end, many persons were killed.
“We have been burying people since 10:00pm to about 6am. We have buried 49 corpses here while another 32 corpses were taken away by families from the villages around us. The insurgents abducted seven persons including our village head. They went away with 400 cattle,” and did not set the place ablaze as they often did in other attacks.
“The insurgents pretended as if they were there for peace, suddenly, they started shooting at will. Even children and women were not spared. Many were shot at close range. Many started running. At the end, many persons were killed.
“We have been burying people since 10:00pm to about 6am. We have buried 49 corpses here while another 32 corpses were taken away by families from the villages around us. The insurgents abducted seven persons including our village head. They went away with 400 cattle,” and did not set the place ablaze as they often did in other attacks.
He said the casualties could be higher than 81 since tracing was still ongoing.
