Eleven people are feared dead after suspected Boko Haram terrorists invaded Zaranga village in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State in the early hours of Monday.
The attackers reportedly stormed the community while residents were still asleep, opening fire and setting houses ablaze during the assault.
The attack has left the community in shock, with several residents reportedly fleeing into nearby bushes and forests for safety.
A resident familiar with the incident said 11 bodies had been recovered as of Monday afternoon.
He added that the search for other residents who could not be accounted for was still ongoing.
“For now, 11 dead bodies have been recovered. Many people are still missing. Search teams and security personnel are in the forest searching for the missing people,” he said.
The resident, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly about the incident, said the attackers arrived in the village in the early hours and launched the assault with gunfire.
According to him, the terrorists also set some houses on fire during the invasion, worsening the panic among residents.
The number of people still missing could not immediately be established.
Another resident gave a personal account of the tragedy, saying the attack had claimed members of his immediate family.
“My wife and two of my family members were also killed during the early morning invasion of my village,” he said.
The killings have further raised concerns over the security situation in parts of Adamawa, particularly communities located in areas where terrorist groups have continued to operate.
Zaranga is located in Gombi Local Government Area, one of the parts of Adamawa that have previously faced security challenges linked to insurgency and attacks by armed groups.
In recent weeks, Adamawa has recorded fresh attacks blamed on suspected terrorists.
Earlier in August, suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Gaya community in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The incident reportedly claimed the lives of eight people, including a police inspector and seven civilians, while houses were also set ablaze.
The Northern Senators Forum subsequently called for urgent action on the proposed State Police Bill following the attacks in Adamawa and Sokoto states.
The lawmakers argued that the latest incidents showed the difficulties faced by security agencies in responding quickly to attacks in remote communities.
The forum called on the Federal Government, state governors and state Houses of Assembly to support moves aimed at strengthening security at the grassroots.
Nevertheless, the identity and number of the attackers could not be independently established as of the time of filing this report.
The Adamawa State Police Command had also not officially confirmed the reported death toll.
Calls put through to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, seeking confirmation of the incident and details of the security response were not answered as of the time of filing.
The military has in recent months reported operations targeting Boko Haram fighters, their collaborators and supply networks in Adamawa and neighbouring states.
In one such operation earlier this year, troops under Operation Hadin Kai reported the arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators and the killing of a Boko Haram commander in Adamawa.
Weapons and other items linked to terrorist activities were also recovered during the operation.
For now, residents of Zaranga are awaiting further information as security personnel continue their search for missing persons.
The final casualty figure may therefore change as the search operation continues and more information becomes available.
More details on the Zaranga attack are expected as security agencies establish the circumstances surrounding the invasion and determine the number of casualties.
COURTESY: PoliticsNigeria
