Death toll in Adamawa B/Haram attack hits 14

The death toll from a Boko Haram attack on three villages in Hong LGA of Adamawa State has risen to 14. The Chairman of Hong LGA, Inuwa Usman Wa’aganda, earlier confirmed that insurgents attacked Zah, Kijing and Mubang villages on Monday night, and that eight corpses were recovered. However, during a matter of urgent public […]

The death toll from a Boko Haram attack on three villages in Hong LGA of Adamawa State has risen to 14.

The Chairman of Hong LGA, Inuwa Usman Wa’aganda, earlier confirmed that insurgents attacked Zah, Kijing and Mubang villages on Monday night, and that eight corpses were recovered.

However, during a matter of urgent public importance raised on the floor of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, the Member representing Uba/Gaya, Adum John Alaba, disclosed that the number of casualties had increased to 14.

Alaba lamented that Zah and Mubang villages had suffered repeated attacks, adding that the latest incident marked the third time insurgents had invaded Zah.

He attributed the persistent attacks to the proximity of the communities to the Sambisa axis of Borno State, which made them vulnerable to infiltration by insurgents.

He said perennial insecurity had resulted in mass displacement, humanitarian challenges, disruption of education and healthcare services and widespread fear among residents.

He described the situation as urgent, grave and of serious public concern, calling for immediate intervention to protect lives, restore public confidence and avert further humanitarian catastrophe.

The lawmaker also revealed that houses, public schools and health centres were destroyed during the Monday attack, regretting that some of the facilities in Zah were renovated barely two weeks earlier by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.

In its resolutions, the house urged Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to collaborate with the federal government to deploy additional military personnel, equipment and surveillance assets to Hong LGA, especially communities bordering the Sambisa Forest.

The assembly also called on the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to construct trenches around border communities to restrict insurgent movements.

It further urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), the NEDC and other humanitarian bodies to provide relief materials, including food, medical supplies, clothing and psychosocial support.

The house also appealed for increased temporary shelters at IDP camps in Hong and mandated its committee on security to visit the affected communities to assess the damage and commiserate with victims.