Boko Haram attack leaves 47 dead in Bama

No fewer than 47 persons were feared dead in a fresh attacks in Bama  Local Government Area  and Buratai, Biu  LGA  in  Borno State by the dreaded militant group, Boko Haram.

The attackers were said to have also  torched  the palace of the Shehu of Bama, Alhaji Kyari Elkanemi, the LGA headquarters, and nearly all other key public  buildings in the town.

Elkanemi’s whereabouts were unknown as of 9pm on Wednesday.

The attackers were  however more daring in the Buratai incident on Tuesday evening  as they stormed  the  private and  family homes of the Commander of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, Maj. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

One  person was said to have been killed in Buratai’s family house  and  a soldier in his  private  residence in the village.

The Bama attack  occurred barely a few hours after  the Chief of Army Staff, Maj.Gen Kenneth Minimah, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, visited the community which had been attacked several times by the  insurgents.

They also took place barely three days after 146 people lost their lives  during  a raid on Izghe, a largely Christian community in Borno State.

The  state police commissioner, Lawal Tanko, who confirmed the death toll to Reuters, however did not provide further details about the latest attack.

Tanko said, ‘’Every landmark building, the Local government secretariat, the state lowcost housing estate, schools and several other buildings, as well as  a   part of   the Shehu’s palace were destroyed.

 “As of  the last time I spoke to my DPO in Bama, we  had 47 dead casualties recorded, while several number of  persons were confirmed injured.  Some are  already in hospitals there. I have instructed my men to liaise with the hospitals if we can have  the actual  figure of  the dead.’’

Source: Punch