Not fewer than 20 persons has died and 24 others injured after Boko Haram terrorists attacked Gajigana village in Borno state.
PremiumTimes reports that the attack took place on Sunday evening while residents in the community were preparing to break their Ramadan fast.
A member of Civilian-JTF, Ba’an Bukar, said although there was a military deployment in Gajigana, the soldiers could not do enough to save the villagers.
“The Boko Haram fighters came to the village from the western flank far away from the soldiers who are stationed at the eastern side,” said Mr Bukar.
As the gunmen attacked the community, the fasting residents who had endured temperatures reaching 42 degrees celsius tried to scamper to safety. Many could not go far before being mowed down by the terrorists.
“The shootings were sudden and intense; people began to flee in all directions,” Mr Bukar said.
“The soldiers could not make it to the other side on time. But when they eventually did, the shootout dragged into the night.
“This morning, we have prepared 18 corpses of the killed villagers for burial. Twenty four persons were injured in all; of which 19 of them are in critical condition, while five sustained minor injuries.”
Mr Bukar said the 19 injured persons were taken to hospital in Maiduguri.
Confirming the development, member of the Borno State House of Assembly who represents Magumeri constituency, Audu Mustapha, said the figure had risen to “over 20.”
