Boko Haram strikes Shani town, Borno state; ...slaughters 9, abducts several youths

Not less than nine persons were on Wednesday slaughtered by suspected members of the Islamic fundamentalist group, Boko Haram, in Shani town , headquarters of Shani local government area of Borno state, Northeastern Nigeria, a fleeing resident of the town told our correspondent on Friday.

The fleeing resident who does not want his name in print, said the insurgents operated in the area unhindered by security agents for several hours and wreaked massive destruction.

He said the insurgents also left several residents of the town injured, even as they destroyed many houses and vehicles in the council headquarters.

He said: "They were equally alleged to have abducted several youths from the area."

Ibrahim, who claimed that the youth vigilante group in the area called him to brief on the state of affairs of the area, said: "The insurgents came in large numbers and invaded the council at about 9pm on Wednesday, slaughtered their victims after destroying many houses and vehicles on the streets. Many people had fled the town for safety, leaving only aged people, sick ones and children who could not flee."

A Police officer at Shani Divisional Police Headquarters told ThisDay on phone from the area that policemen, including him, had to flee the town for safety since the insurgents were well armed and "it would be suicidal to confront them.”

He added that the task of fleeing was made easier for him as his family members were no longer living with him in the town since he had relocated them to a safer zone since last December.

Credit: Michael Olugbode/ThisDay