Boko Haram Kills 20 Loggers, Abducts Many in Borno

Muhammad Sabiru in Maiduguri

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have slaughtered 20 loggers and abducted many people in a bush at Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, has been confirmed by local and security sources in the town.

One of the security sources said the assailants earlier warned the loggers to leave the area, but the loggers ignored them.

“They accused the loggers of conniving with the military to spy on their movement and hint the troops that attacked their enclave.

“Yesterday, they ambushed the loggers while fetching firewood, killed 22 and abducted an unspecified number of them,” a security source in Mafa town revealed.

Amnesty International Nigeria, also confirmed the killing of the 2O Internally Displaced Persons, who went to the bush to gather firewood in Mafa.

“Those killed had their throats slit or shot at close range, and at least 30 were abducted, some of them children,” it said.

According to Amnesty, the victims were those people subjected to repeated displacements by Boko Haram.

“Boko Haram must end its campaign of vicious and unlawful killings of civilians. Recently, Boko Haram continued their relentless cycle of killings, abductions and looting with utter impunity.

“The Nigerian authorities must do more to protect civilians and bring the suspected perpetrators of all these attacks to justice,” it added.