Thirty-two villagers killed in Kala-Balge in Borno State by Boko Haram terrorists were boys picking iron scalps for sale and not farmers as widely reported.
The Special Adviser to Gov. Babagana Zulum on Media and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau, gave the clarification in a statement to journalists in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
Gusau explained that 14 more bodies were recovered after the day of the attack.
According to him, the victims were killed near Mudu Village 45km away from the Local Government Headquarters, Rann.
The statement also confirmed that six persons were injured while two escaped the attack unhurt.
The statement reads: “Governor Babagana Umara Zulum is very disturbed by the unfortunate killing of fellow citizens at the weekend.
“Pending a full report, the Governor was briefed by the Majority Leader of Borno State House of Assembly, Mohammed Dige, who represents Kala-Balge where the victims hailed from.
“From the lawmaker’s briefing, a total of 32 youths are believed to have been killed by the insurgents. The youths were not farmers but highly enterprising young men engaged in gathering metals popularly called ‘Kayan Ajaokuta’ which are sold as raw materials for steel production.
“The victims were said to have gone to a deserted Mudu village, 45 kilometers away from Dikwa in search of the raw materials; in the process, they were unfortunately ambushed by the insurgents. Six persons were injured during the ambush while two escaped unhurt.
“A team of soldiers, alongside the Chairman of Kala-Balge LGA, on Tuesday, recovered 14 bodies of victims who were apparently tied and shot at close range.”
An impeccable security source, who does not want to be quoted, also confirmed to our correspondent that the villagers killed were not farmers but metal scrap pickers.
According to the source, no farming activities are going on in that area.
The source explained the villagers were killed by ISWAP who believe that they metal scrap pickers sale those meters to a factional Boko Haram group to fabricate weapons.
He was however not sure of the figure but believed that over 30 villagers were killed.
Source: The Nation
