By Sadiq Abubakar
Maiduguri
No fewer than two people were feared dead while others sustained gunshot wounds when a group of suspected Boko Haram members yesterday invaded Whitambaya village of Hawul local government area of Borno state.
The gunmen also razed down two churches, including the Church of Brethren in Nigeria, popularly known as E.Y.N. church in Hausa language, as well as residential houses mostly belonging to Christians.
Whitambaya is a hilly and valley community located at the offshores of River Hawul, and some few kilometers south-east of Hawul council area which has been under series of deadly insurgent attacks in the last one month with no security presence.
The Caretaker Chairman of Hawul, Dr. Andrew Usman Malgwi, had complained of lack of military presence in his local government area, which is predominantly Christians.
A pastor of Living Faith Church, Pastor Eluid Gwamna Mshelizza, and other 19 residents of Shaffa town were slaughtered with over six churches razed down in the last one month, but his plea for deployment of military fell on deaf ears.
A resident and eye witness, one Yakubu Bako, told Blueprint on phone in Maiduguri that the gunmen came into the village from Pelachiroma and Dzur villages, which are suspected Boko Haram terror camps, in the last one year.
Yakubu said: “A combined group of armed men in 18-seater Computer bus stormed our community at about 3 p.m. on Wednesday, chanting Allahu Akbar (God is Great), and set ablaze two churches and three residential houses belonging to Christian faithful before they shot and killed two people and injured another.
“The gunmen looted some shops and houses and fled. As I am talking to you now, we have lost two of our people, while the other person who sustained gunshot wounds has been referred to Biu General Hospital for treatment and possible removal of bullets in his stomach and chest.”
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Hawul council Area, Dr. Andrew Usman Malgwi, said: “Yes, one of my villages came under attack by Boko Haram sect. I was told that they burnt down two churches and other residential buildings after shooting at some innocent civilians.
“I may not have details as to the number of the dead or casualties, but as you all aware, I have been crying and asking for deployment of military troops to my troubled council, but all to no avail.
“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to our people in Hawul and those in diaspora to continue to pray for restoration of peace to our dear local government area, Borno and the country at large.”