Again, Boko Haram attacks Michika, Madagali

Police arrest insurgents’ bomb maker

From Umar Dankano Yola

Barely few hours to the visit of President Good Luck Jonathan to Adamawa State, the dreaded Boko Haram has struck again killing scores of persons in border communities of Michika and Madagali.

The escapees from the areas who moved in droves to the state capital confirmed that no fewer than seven villages were overrun by the insurgents.

A fleeing resident of Michika, Mr Emmanuel Kwache said in a telephone chat with Peoples Daily that, ‘’over thirty people were mercilessly killed by Boko Haram.

“As I am talking to you this evening, the insurgents are there in Michika town, they don’t spare anything, they slaughtered people like rams. They burnt our houses after looting food stuff.

“No presence of troops, some residents are on top of hills, while those that could not run, were abducted particularly youths and women,’’ said Kwache.

Also corroborating another fleeing resident of Garta, said his house and many others were razed down by the rampaging insurgents.

“They burnt down my house including mosque and looted foot stuffs, at least 12 people were killed.

“Government should come to our rescue, by deploying troops,’’ he urged.

Confirming the attack, member representing Michika in the state Assembly, Mr Adamu Kamale said that though he was yet to get the exact casualty, however , ‘’ the fleeing residents told me that for now over forty people were killed, mostly slaughtered like goats.

“It’s so sad; we reported the matter to the concerned authorities but all to no avail. The insurgents are moving freely in the area.

“We are calling on government to deploy troops,’’ he added.

He listed Ghumci,Liddle,Garta,Shahu and Mbororo among the affected communities in Michika local government, as he further said that several other people that we are yet to ascertain the exact numbers are abducted.

Reports also indicate that the rampaging Boko Haram have also unleashed terror in Madagali area, killing people and looting property.

A displaced resident who simple identified himself as Abdur Rahman Madagali said that the hoodlums , ‘’ killed several people and abducted many in Gulak,and Madagali towns.

“They also burnt our houses,’ he said.

At the time of filing this report, security sources said the Nigeria troops with the collaboration of the local hunters were involved in fierce battle with insurgents.

Also confirming the attacks, Secretary of the local hunters, Mr James Philip lamented that for almost a week now the insurgents have been on rampage in communities around Michika and Madagali,but was emphatic that the Nigerian troops and local hunters are on the top of the situation.

“The troops also killed several insurgents. These boys operate as cells and don’t stay in Michika they come from their hideout to attack whenever they want to, and they normally come in their dozens to attack” he said.

In a related development, a suspected Boko Haram bomb maker and nine of his accomplices have been arrested by security operatives.

The man named Ba’na is suspected to be the mastermind behind the fabrication of explosives used in a series of Boko Haram suicide attacks.

Ba’na was arrested in Arikime area of Potiskum in Yobe State, a senior police officer told Agence France Presse(AFP) yesterday. The arrest was said to have followed weeks of surveillance.

According to reports, the arrested suspect confessed to being responsible for the manufacture of the explosives used in at least three suicide attacks and the car explosion outside the divisional police station in Yobe.

Ba’na who was arrested along with nine alleged accomplices in different hideouts was alleged to have made the explosives used in the November school attack, the January 10 car bombing and January 11 market blasts respectively.