Insurgents behead two refugees in Borno

From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents at the weekend stormed Shaffa village in  Hawul local government area of Borno state and allegedly beheaded two Internally Displaced Persons, (IDPs), who were taking refuge in the area.

Residents of the area told newsmen yesterday that the slain IDPs were among the over 10,000 refugees who escaped from the homes  in Damboa local government area of the state following intense deadly attacks waged by the insurgents.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Saturday night, when the attackers sneaked into the village and waylaid the victims, who have left the refugee camp and enter into the town to make so purchase.

The assailants had reportedly slaughtered the deceased, before removing their heads and placed same on their chest.

A resident, who declined identification, added that the attackers, who after slaughtering their victims also warned residents, including the traditional ruler in Shaffa to stop accommodating any Damboa refugees or risk deadly attacks.

“The gunmen did not touch any residents of Shaffa, as they only traced the whereabouts of their targeted victims and killed them before firing sporadic gunshots in the air, warning people, especially the traditional ruler (name withheld), to stop receiving or accommodating any Damboa fleeing victims or risk attacks on his community”, he added.

It was also gathered that the gunmen, before fleeing from Shaffa told residents that they (terrorists) have vowed to hunt any fleeing Damboa refugee and kill, alleging that the people of Damboa are their enemies who were against their mission.