Suspected Boko Haram members have killed 17 people in Guzamala-Abbari village in Guzamala Local Government Area and parts of Nganzai LGA, Borno State.
The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, confirmed the attacks and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
According to Lawan, 12 bodies were recovered in Guzamala-Abbari and given a mass burial according to Islamic rites in Monguno, while five other bodies found in a nearby settlement in Nganzai LGA were buried in Gajiram town.
“I am shocked over the massacre of my people in Guzamala-Abbari and parts of Nganzai LGA by terrorists,” Lawan said. “So far, 12 dead bodies of Guzamala indigenes were recovered in Guzamala-Abbari village, while five other bodies of Nganzai indigenes were recovered in a nearby village in Nganzai LGA during search and rescue operations on Sunday. I commiserate with the families of the victims and wish the injured quick recovery. May Allah grant Aljannatul Firdaus to the souls of the deceased and restore peace in our fatherland.”
He added that search and rescue operations are ongoing, as many people are still missing.
Gudumbali, the headquarters of Guzamala LGA, has remained deserted for years and under the control of Boko Haram. The Speaker has repeatedly urged the federal government and the military to liberate the area and restore civil authority, particularly at the council headquarters.
The attack occurred about 15 kilometres from the newly resettled Mairari village in Guzamala LGA.
