Scores Killed By Boko Haram In Renewed Attacks On Adamawa Villages

         Scores of residents of Michika and Madagali villages have reportedly been killed by Boko Haram insurgents who launched series of attacks on about seven villages, local and security sources confirmed.

The towns fell into the hands of the insurgents last years but were recaptured by government troops.

A resident of the Michika, Mr Emmanuel Kwache, who confirmed the attacks on the villages in a telephone chat, said dozens of residents of the areas had been killed by the insurgents.

He disclosed that rampaging insurgents came on a bloody mission, shooting or slaughtering anyone they met, and kidnapping young men and women.

“They are currently in Michika town, and are on a killing spree, sparing no one they encountered while abducting young men and women,” he said.

Kwache lamented that the residents had been left to their own fate as government troops were nowhere near to rescue them.

“There are no troops anywhere. Some residents are on top of hills, while many young men and women have been abducted,” Kwache said.

Also speaking on the attack, the lawmaker for Michika in the state assembly, Mr Adamu Kamale, said though he was yet to get the exact casualty figure, fleeing residents told him that over 40 people were killed, most of them gruesomely slaughtered.

“It’s so sad; we reported the matter to the concerned authorities, all to no avail. The insurgents are moving freely in the area. We are calling on government to deploy troops,’’ he pleaded.

At the time of filing this report, security sources said troops assisted by local hunters had engaged the insurgents in a fierce battle.

The secretary of local hunters in Adamawa State, Mr James Philip, said for almost a week now, the insurgents have been on rampage in communities around Michika and Madagali.

He also confirmed that Nigerian troops had killed many of the insurgents who usually strike in huge numbers.

 

Bomb explosion destroys Ohanaeze secretariat in Enugu

There is heightened tension in Enugu following a bomb explosion at the national headquarters of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in the state.

A source told LEADERSHIP that the sad development, which occurred at No. 7 Park Avenue, G.R.A Enugu, destroyed parts of the building and some infrastructure.

It was further gathered that the explosion caused a fire outbreak but it was swiftly put out, and that the devastation affected parts of the main hall of the Ohanaeze secretariat where major meetings of the body are held.

Although no life was lost, close sources reported that the impact of the explosion shook the entire vicinity.

Many people have attributed the explosion to the recent leadership crisis which has pitched the Enwo Igariwey-led leadership against the Elders Council of Ohanaeze led by elder statesman, Mbazuluike Amaechi.

The group’s executive body is claiming a four-year tenure but the elders’ council has insisted that the exco’s two-year tenure expired on January 7 this year and has thus constituted a caretaker committee led by Chief Ralph Obioha.

Chief Obioha, who inspected the Ohanaeze main hall after the blast yesterday, described it as unfortunate.

But the public relations officer, Enugu State Police Command, Ebere Amaraizu, said that it was a bomb attack, but an attempt by unknown persons to burn down the Ohanaeze building.

He said police detectives were already searching for the perpetrators.