Boko Haram terrorists shot and killed one person and abducted four young girls in renewed attacks on the border town in Gwoza Local Government Area, southern Borno State, eyewitnesses have said.
The terrorists came in their multitudes and overpowered the Joint Task Force in Kirawa town, Monday, razing more than 20 commercial vehicles and shops with goods worth millions of naira.
It was gathered that the multinational joint task force had withdrawn most of its personnel after brutal attacks on their bases led to the death of 20 soldiers.
According to a VJTF source, the palace of the District Head of Kirawa, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Abubakar, was equally burnt after the invaders looted and carted away valuable items.
The source said, “One resident was shot dead in the attack Monday night that lasted for hours. They abducted four young girls ages between 10-13 years.”
Another source added, “the terrorists invaded our community around 9 pm on motorbikes, burning other structures, shops and more than 20 vehicles.
“We are left to face our fate. We haven’t had soldiers for more than two months now; as you see, this town (Kirawa) is very strategic in term of economic activity between Nigeria and Cameroon.”
Yakubu Kirawa, the Chairman of the Kirawa Development Association, while corroborating the account, called for the establishment of a brigade in the community to safeguard the lives and properties.
He said the assailants shot at people and displaced many residents to Cameroon.
“They arrived in the community around 9 pm and shot sporadically; they burnt houses and shops, and many of our people ran to Cameroon. One person was also shot.
While calling for a military base, he said, “Being a border community where it is just a river that separates us and Cameroon, we are requesting the federal government to establish a brigade and increase military deployment.”
A resident in the community, Shaibu Abdul, confirmed that the palace of the district head was burnt down.
“They attacked the palace of the district head, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abubakar and burnt down his house, although, he escaped the attack,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Senator representing Borno South Senatorial districts, Ali Ndume in an electronic communication said, “the renewed Boko Haram attacks in Kirawa and other communities have became a source of concern and frustrating, as many resilient Internally Displaced Persons have returned back to their ancestral homes that were facilitated and supported by Governor Babagana Zulum”.
The Senator troops appealed to the military authorities to “deploy more troops and or platoons in the affected areas of Kirawa, Ngoshe, Agapalwa, Chikide among other vulnerable communities”.
He also reiterated his call on the federal government and the Nigerian Military to deploy drones, Attack Helicopters, as well as use Technology, Equipment, Arms and Ammunition, Motivation (TEAAM).
He said; “It is the only way to end the over decade Boko Haram atrocities in Borno, North East and other parts of the country.” he added.
