The Police in Borno state have confirmed the killing of an Islamic cleric and 16 others by Boko Haram gunmen and bombers in separate incidents in two villages.
DSP Isuku Victor, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), said an Imam and three persons were killed when the insurgents stormed Kurumari village in Magumeri council area on Sunday.
“On September 17, at about 22:30 hours, some suspects reasonably believed to be Boko Haram terrorists attacked Kurumari village, about 14 kilometres east of Magumeri town, in Magumeri local government area.
“Four persons including the Imam of the village were reportedly killed during the attack.”
Victor disclosed that 13 other persons were also killed in multiple suicide bomb attacks at Mashemeri village in Konduga local government area of the state.
“On Monday September 18, at about 10:50 hours, two male and a female suicide bombers carried out coordinated attacks at different locations at Mashemari village in Konduga Local Government Area.
“The first explosion occurred when there was echo of sporadic shooting in a farm. In the ensuing stampede, the first suicide bomber detonated the Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs).
“The other two suicide bombers detonated their explosives inside the village close to the house of the village head.
“Thirteen persons including the three suicide bombers died while sixteen other persons sustained various degrees of injuries,” he said.
Isuku said that the victims were referred to the General Hospital, Konduga for treatment.
He added that Police EOD team and Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) were deployed; adding that normalcy had been restored to the area. (NAN)