By BillyGraham Abel, Yola
A few hours after Army and Air Force chiefs relocated to Borno State on the order of Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, following worsening security situation in the North-East, suspected Boko Haram insurgents hit Mildu village in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa Adamawa State killing at least eight people.
Several other persons were reportedly injured while many houses and shops were destroyed during the attack.
Fleeing residents said the rampaging insurgents stormed the village, which is about six-seven kilometers from Gulak, capital of Madagali Local Government Area, on the fringes of the dreaded Sambisa forest, around 12 midnight and opened fired on sleeping residents.
A source said locals were taken unawares as they did not expect such attacks especially as the Boko Haram had long been pushed out of the area.
“They stormed our village on motorbikes and immediately opened fire on the people and slaughtering people with knives,” a resident said in a telephone interview.
“As at the last count, seven people were slaughtered while about 10 others were injured and were rushed to a health facility in Gulak,” another resident told journalists in a telephone interview, also seeking anonymity for security reasons.
An eyewitness said the attack lasted for about an hour, and those killed appeared to have been earlier identified by the insurgents.
“We, the men and the younger women ran for safety. When we came back after hunters and soldiers repelled them, we saw seven dead.
“It is disheartening to see this kind of attack particularly now that the military is winning the battle against insurgency in the country,” he added.
Chairman of Madagali Local Government Area, Muhammad Yusuf, confirmed the attack, but said the casualty figure was uncertain.
“You know I travelled to Yola and my deputy just confirmed to me that seven people were killed as houses and shops (were) burnt by the rampaging Boko Haram.’’
Also speaking, the member representing Michika/Madagali federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Adamu Kamale, said there was pandemonium during which at least seven people were killed as many scampered for their lives.
The Adamawa State Government also confirmed the death of seven people in the attack.
The community hosts Sukur World heritage site, destroyed by the insurgents in 2014.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ahmad Sajoh, confirmed the development to journalists in Yola, said the insurgents attacked the village and killed six people while one of the attackers was also killed.
Meanwhile, the councillor representing the ward in Madagali Local Government Council, Bulus Dauda, said his people fled the area.