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Even as the Nigerian military stepped up efforts at beating back the extremist Boko Haram sect from the areas it currently occupies, including the commercial border town of Mubi in Adamawa state, the militants are intensifying attacks on remote communities and villages, residents have told PREMIUM TIMES
Also, there are reports that three retired Generals of the Nigerian Army narrowly escaped death when Boko Haram insurgents stormed their village asking for their whereabouts.
The insurgents did not succeed in their mission as they (the army Generals) were reportedly not around when the Boko Haram terrorists struck their village of Gashala in Hong Local Government, few kilometers away from Mubi town.
Gashala village is the home town of Air vice Marshal Steven Yaduma (Rtd), Major General Zakariya Yaduma and General Samuel Dzarma.
A resident of the village, Na’omi Bitrus, said when the gunmen arrived, they demanded to know the houses of the three Generals in the village.
But the villagers, sensing danger, decline to give the insurgents the information on the pretext that they too were strangers in the town.
“Four gunmen struck the village on two motor cycles on Thursday and immediately demanded to know the residents of the three Generals in the town but sensing danger the residents declined saying they are strangers,” she said.
“Having failed in their mission, the gunmen went on rampage and set the residence of EYN Church pastor of the village ablaze. They shot dead a retired engineer forcing residents to flee to nearby bushes.
“Out of fear for our dear lives, we slept in the bush and are constantly in trepidation as we fear that the insurgents may yet launch another attack on us. They said they will stage a comeback,” another resident disclosed.
The residents said the Boko Haram insurgents warned that anyone who would not accept Islam should leave the village.
