Suspected Boko Haram fighters hit the community of Gaya in Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State, on Monday night. A police inspector and seven civilians were killed.
Hong council chairman Aliyu Sa’ad confirmed the attack to PUNCH Online on Tuesday. He said the raiders came at night, burned down two houses, and killed eight people in total.
“The attackers came on the night of Monday and launched a bloody attack on two houses, burnt the houses and killed one police officer and seven civilians during the attack,” Sa’ad stated.
He added that soldiers, police, hunters, and other security teams have been sent to the area to go after the attackers.
The Adamawa police command also verified the incident. Spokesperson Suleiman Nguroje said: “The report we received from the area is that on Monday night, dead bodies of five people were recovered, four civilians and an inspector of police, after the attackers left. We are still waiting for an update, since troops have been deployed with all the security agencies, including vigilante and hunters, to hunt for the attackers.”
Nguroje promised to share more updates later. “If there is any new development concerning the attack, I will surely contact you for a detailed briefing,” he said.
This assault is the latest in a string of insurgent-related violence hitting Hong council in recent months. The chairman said security forces are working hard to find the culprits and restore peace.
Residents across Adamawa regularly deal with threats from Boko Haram and other armed groups operating near the Sambisa Forest. A planned military barracks at Garaha, which sits close to a key insurgent route into the forest, has not yet begun operations, according to Sa’ad. Hong is also the home area of two former Secretaries to the Government of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal and Boss Mustapha.
