SAD: Boko Haram kills 38 people in fresh Borno attack
38 people died while several others sustained severe injuries during a fresh raid by suspected Islamist Boko Haram gunmen in the Christian farming village of Dille in Askira Uba district, Borno state.
The attack was carried out late Sunday through Monday.
Villagers said the Islamic sect members burnt the entire village including three churches.
Dozens of gunmen in all terrain vehicles and on motorcycles allegedly stormed the village firing indiscriminately and throwing grenades and explosives into homes.
“We lost 38 people in Boko Haram attacks and bombardments by a military jet on innocent residents fleeing the village,” a resident, Umar Jar told AFP.
“The Boko Haram gunmen came around 11:00 pm on Sunday and opened fire on the village with guns, rocket-propelled grenades and explosives,” said Jar who fled to Lassa village, seven kilometres away.
Locals went into the bush where they passed the night but when they tried to return to their homes Monday morning, the attackers opened fire on them from hills overlooking the village where they had taken cover, said another resident, John Buba.
Panicked residents who tried to take a bus out of the village were mistaken for fleeing insurgents by military fighter jets that are deployed to repel the attackers.
“Unfortunately, the fighter jets threw three explosives on the people waiting for a bus inside the garage (bus station),” said Buba in an account supported by Jar.
“Several people were injured and have been brought to Lassa for medical attention,” Jar said.
A military source who claimed anonymity confirmed the Boko Haram raid and deployment of two fighter jets which repelled the attacks and killed “many”.
