Nigerian military confirms killings near Chibok; says “abductions” being investigated

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Nigerian troops have taken over Gumsere, a town near Chibok, where residents said at least 30 people were killed and over 100 others abducted last Friday by suspected Boko Haram militants, the defence headquarters said Friday.

The military said while it could confirm some people were killed in the attack, investigations were still ongoing to confirm the reports of kidnappings.

Residents had said that militants arrived the community at about 4p.m. a week ago and attacked the community overnight, killing “many people” and burning “several houses”.

A pastor in neighbouring Chibok, Mark Enoch, confirmed the attack to PREMIUM TIMES.

He said he could not be precise about the number of people killed, but said there were still bodies when he visited the area on Monday.

Residents said the militants descended on the community targeting a powerful leader of a local vigilante who had succeeded in wading off previous Boko Haram attacks.

They said the vigilante leader was killed finally and all members of his family, including his wife and daughters, taken away by the terrorists.

The military said while it has confirmed that some people were killed, it was yet to confirm new abductions.

“Although it has been confirmed that some people were killed by the terrorists during the attack, the reported abductions as claimed by unidentified sources being quoted in some foreign media is yet to be verified from any credible sources in the community,” the military said in the statement.

The military, however, said its officers are “investigating as well as patrolling the area in search of terrorists”.

The DHQ said it has shored up security patrol in Gumsere and that normal life has returned to the area adding that some of the residents who fled have returned.

“Some of the villagers who fled during the attack have started returning to the village. Normal life has also returned to the area. The surveillance and patrol of the area by air and land forces has been stepped up to secure the general area.

“Troops have been ordered to sustain an aggressive patrol over the area and the surrounding communities in order to ensure that terrorists do not have any freedom of action in the area while the counter-terrorism campaign continues,” it said.