Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have killed at least 17 people in Guzamala-Abbari village in Guzamala Local Government Area and in parts of Nganzai LGA of Borno State.
The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, who represents the area, confirmed the attack and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
Lawan said 12 bodies were recovered from Guzamala-Abbari village and buried in a mass grave in Monguno in accordance with Islamic rites. He added that five other bodies recovered from a nearby settlement in Nganzai LGA were also buried in Gajiram.
“I am shocked by the massacre of my people in Guzamala-Abbari and parts of Nganzai LGA by terrorists,” the speaker said. “So far, 12 bodies of Guzamala indigenes have been recovered, while five bodies of Nganzai indigenes were found during search and rescue operations on Sunday.”
He said search and rescue efforts were ongoing, noting that several residents were still missing. Lawan also prayed for the injured and for lasting peace in the area.
Gudumbali, the headquarters of Guzamala LGA, has remained deserted for years and is still under the control of Boko Haram, he said.
The speaker reiterated his call on the federal government and the military to reclaim the area and restore civil authority, particularly in Gudumbali.
The affected village is about 15 kilometres from Mairari, a community recently resettled in Guzamala LGA.
