Survivors of Borno mosque attack recount ordeals

Residents said the attackers burnt down 78 houses, two cars and scores of motorcycles in Konduga after which they proceeded with similar aggression to Mandarari and Malari settlements, not far from Konduga.Worshippers who escaped by the whiskers told journalists who accompanied Governor Kashim Shettima to Konduga that the assailants surrounded the village and attacked people […]

Residents said the attackers burnt down 78 houses, two cars and scores of motorcycles in Konduga after which they proceeded with similar aggression to Mandarari and Malari settlements, not far from Konduga.
Worshippers who escaped by the whiskers told journalists who accompanied Governor Kashim Shettima to Konduga that the assailants surrounded the village and attacked people coming out from various mosques in the neighbourhoods.
 According to the villagers, over 200 gunmen including women emerged from the bush, took strategic positions and opened fire on people returning home from the early Morning Prayer.
Military authorities had raised alarm that the Boko Haram insurgents were perfecting plans to launch multiple attacks in Maiduguri during Sallah period. Daily Trust learnt that Konduga residents had raised similar alarm ealier.
Following increased suspicion, vigilante youths in Konduga and adjoining villages arrested three suspected members of the Boko Haram and killed them.
District head of Konduga, Zanna Masu Yale told Governor Shettima that 43 people were killed by the gunmen who invaded the town in commando style.
 According to him, the assailants, armed with sophisticated weapons went to the village in seven Volkswagen Golf cars.
“Like a storm, the attackers descended on worshippers who were praying. They shot indiscriminately, but there were people who escaped by the mercy of God,” he said.
Kime Bukar, a resident, said the aim of the attack was to discourage locals from cooperating with security operatives in securing the area.
 “From all indications, the attackers were on vengeance mission…out to mercilessly exterminate us so that the calamity that befell us will serve as deterrent to other communities,” he said.
Another villager, Modu Kolo said while the men among the attackers were busy killing people, the women took turn to set houses ablaze.
 Mohammed Muktar, a 20 year old farmer, said his father who missed the Morning Prayer was shot dead while performing ablution in front of a mosque.
Another villager, Goni Bukar said his wife was killed inside his house while seven of his children are still missing.     
The villagers attributed their predicament to the seizure of GSM services and the complete closure of the Maiduguri-Konduga-Bama road by security operatives shortly after the declaration of state of emergency.
“There was no way we could call anybody to give us a helping hand because our phones were not working. The closure of the highway also aggravates our problem; all the communities here have been cut-off. It is as if we are not part of Nigeria,” Banna Baaji, another villager said.  
  Governor Shettima, while commiserating with the people announced a donation of N250, 000 each to the families of those killed.
He also donated N5 million and 4 vehicles to boost the activities of the vigilantes youths.
The governor, who addressed the people in Kanuri said the cash donation is a palliative measure to cushion the hardship they may faced following the death of their loved ones.
Those whose houses were burnt were also given cash donation of between N100, 000 and N400, 000. People who sustained injuries were also given N50, 000 each.
Shettima urged the people to continue praying for peace to return to the state.      
 “I want you to understand that what happened to you also affects us all, and we identify with you at this hour of grief,’’ the governor consoled the villagers.
He called on the Joint Task Force (JTF) officials and the establish additional security bases at Dalori, Malori and Konduga in view of the growing threat from insurgents.
 Meanwhile, not less than 300 undeterred members of volunteer youth groups, also known as Civilian JTF, yesterday left Maiduguri to Konduga to help their colleagues in trailing Boko Haram insurgents.
 Our correspondent who was on the entourage of Governor Shettima saw the youths in front of the University of Maiduguri, on their way to Konduga.
It will be recalled that some gunmen also attacked Ngom, a border settlement between Mafa and Konduga local government along the Gamboru-Ngala road and slaughtered 12 people at night on Saturday.
The incidents happened two weeks after more than 40 people were killed in Mainok village of Kaga local government and Dawashi village of Kukawa local government areas.