At least 13 people were killed late yesterday as Boko Haram militants stormed Mussa, a community made up of two villages in the southern part of Borno State, a leader of a local vigilante group as well as fleeing residents have disclosed to Saharareporters.
He revealed that Boko Haram insurgents attacked Mussa, a remote community in Askira/Uba local government area killings nine civilians. Three insurgent fighters also lost their lives in the fierce battle for control of the town. Our source said the militants had destroyed all 32 churches in Mussa district and burnt more than 300 houses.
The chairman of a vigilante group in Mussa, Stephen Apagu, told SaharaReporters over the phone that the Islamist fighters launched a heinous attack against residents of the area.
According to Mr. Apagu, the displaced residents of the besieged communities are now “camped in Gombio village, but we have no food or water.” He added that members of his vigilante group were doing their best to protect the displaced residents, but said their current refugee site “is not safe.” He urged the government “to come to our aid now because we are seriously in a helpless situation.”
One of the fleeing residents, Saleh Bitrus, said residents of the attacked communities knew the insurgent group’s local leader. “We had reported him to the military before he suddenly disappeared,” he said. He identified the murderous group’s local leader as a man named Jerido Jerafu.
Our sources said many survivors had lost contact with numerous family members who may have fallen victim to the invading Islamist fighters.
Last Friday, Boko Haram had carried out their first attack on the inhabitants of Mussa, killing 29 civilians and burning several houses. Their second attack yesterday was “meant to wipe out the two villages,” one source said.