Governor Shettima Of Borno Visits Town Where Boko Haram Massacred Hundreds

The Gamboru-Ngala market after the attack by Boko Haram

Survivors of a massacre by Boko Haram militants today poured out their feelings to the Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State as he visited the scene of the horror.
Governor Shettima defied all odds to visit Gamboru-Ngala, a town in Borno State where members of the Boko Haram sect slaughtered more than three hundred people last Tuesday.
Gamboru-Ngala, the scene of the massacre, is a border town near Nigeria’s border with Cameroon. The besieged town is located in the northern fringes of Borno, about 135 kilometers from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Governor Shettima appeared overwhelmed as he heard heartrending accounts of the savage attacks the residents of the town suffered a few days ago.
Last Tuesday, about 500 heavily armed militants invaded the town about 1.30 p.m. when many of the residents were in the communal market. Eyewitnesses told the governor that the Islamist terrorists came in three armored tanks and also used high-caliber rocket-propelled grenades.
The survivors said the militants moved freely into and through Gamboru-Ngala streets without encountering any attempts by Nigerian security agencies to repel them.
The eyewitnesses told Governor Shettima that the militants shot sporadically and fired armored tank mortars at helpless people in the market. The brutal attack left hundreds dead while many sustained various degrees of injuries.
The terrorists set ablaze 25 trucks, 256 cars, and burnt numerous houses, including the residence of former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff. In addition, the militants also burnt down the entire Gamboru-Ngala market, trapping many traders in the fire.
Jidda Modu, a 54-year-old meat seller, stated that he had performed ablution and was about to start praying when he heard gunshots. “I was so confused that I left my suya meats on fire and ran for safety,” he said. “Before I could return to my shades they had gone with all my meat. The soldiers were nowhere to be found and all the militants wore army uniforms. We are all worried,” he lamented.
Kolomi Ahmed, 67, said he lost eight people in his house. Regarding the absence of security agents, he asked, “What do you want me to tell you? There’s no-one to help us when we need them most. I want the president to tell us if doesn't want us in Nigeria because this is too much for me. I lost everything I had labored for years to achieve.”
Other residents of the town echoed the testimony that there was not a single soldier as the murderous gang of Boko Haram insurgents swept through the streets of Gamboru-Ngala for almost seven hours, wreaking havoc on the terrified civilians. Many of them wondered how their killers were able to acquire three armored tanks as well as army uniforms.
Governor Shettima assured the residents that he would raise their plight with military authorities and President Goodluck Jonathan.