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ISWAP Kills 30 Metal Scavengers In Borno

Written by Godwin Duru

No fewer than thirty people have been killed by Islamic State for West Africa Province ISWAP fighters in Jarawa village, Kala Balge Local government area of Borno state. 

Kala Balge which borders Cameroon Republic is one hundred and fifty kilometres away from Maiduguri, the Borno capital. 

A resident of the area, Baba Ali Grema told Radio Nigeria that the incident occurred on Sunday at Jarawa village, thirty kilometres away from Rann, headquarters of Kala Balge. 

According to Ali Grema, the incident occurred when youths of the area went in search of scrap metals and were ambushed by the ISWAP fighters killing about thirty people, abducted unspecified number while many others escaped.

He explained that because of the relative peace, people of the area move to nearby communities without security clearance in search of means of livelihood. 

“There have significant reduction of attacks on Rann and other adjourning communities, that was why they even travelled up to thirty kilometres in search of scrap metals popularly called ‘Ajaokuta’ when the unfortunate incident happened. We are still searching for some of the missing persons, but now we have recovered thirty people” Grema said.

Malam Baba Ali Grema called on security agents to fortify the area as the people are currently living in apprehension. 

Another resident who lost a relative in the attack Haruna Ibrahim expressed sadness at the incident, saying the victims have left women and children in dire need of assistance. 

According to him, thirty one people were killed and only two elderly people escaped the attack. 

There is no immediate response from the military on the attack. 

Interview/Dauda Iliya