Chairman of Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Usman Wa’anganda, has declared that Boko Haram insurgents have killed no fewer than 17 people in his locality within the last two weeks.
Mr Wa’anganda made the disclosure during an interaction with journalists in Yola on Monday.
He said: “Another deadly attack by Boko Haram insurgents on Kopre village, where at least 10 hunters and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force were killed on Saturday.”
According to him, the latest attack occurred around 4:00 p.m. on April 26.
“The armed insurgents storm the border community on motorcycles, overpowering local defenders with superior firepower.
He confirmed that the deadly attack left many houses burnt and deepened fears among residents already living under the shadow of repeated assaults.
The chairman, who was visibly shaking, noted that the worsening security situation in Kopre is giving him sleepless nights.
“You know Kopre is one of the villages that shares a border with Sambisa Forest, so Boko Haram frequently enters and attacks.
“We only have hunters there. There are no soldiers or any security presence. Even when we call them, they don’t come.”
While appreciating the efforts of the s tate government to empower local vigilantes, the chairman pointed out that more needed to be done to address the bloody situation.
“The security situation here is disappointing. I advise the government to send a battalion here so that our people can return to their homes and farms,” he appealed.
