Boko Haram Destroys Kukawa, Kill Many

Members of the Boko Haram Monday killed an unspecified number of people, injured many others and destroyed public and private property in Kukawa, Borno State.

News of the attack spread only yesterday because telecommunication facilities in the area were vandalized by the insurgents over two years ago.

Kukawa is one of the oldest towns in the former Kanem Bornu Empire and hosts the major oil field in the Chad Basin where exploration activities are in progress.

Caretaker chairman of the council, Alhaji Modu Musa, told newsmen that the insurgents inflicted serious damage on the town.

“They killed many of our people and burned almost the whole town, including the divisional police headquarters, the government lodge and other public buildings,” he said.

Residents who fled to Maiduguri yesterday said the insurgents stormed Kukawa with many vehicles.

“They were armed with guns and explosives, they surrounded the town and killed at will before burning down many important landmarks,” a fleeing resident, Abubakar Abba said. Another resident, Shettima Balube, said the casualty figure would only be ascertained when peace returns to the area.

“For now, all the strong people have fled and only the weak, especially women and children are left. The attackers burned many cars, shops and grains of food,” he said. Sources said policemen on routine patrol in the area had earlier engaged some insurgents when they were heading towards the town.

It was gathered that after an exchange of gunfire, the insurgents proceeded to the town. There was no information on the attack from both the police and the army at the time of filing this report.