Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have killed four charcoal traders and abducted four others during an attack on Gassarwa bush in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.
The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. on January 31, when a group of young men from Abbari Ward in Monguno LGA went into the bush to burn firewood for charcoal, security and community sources said.
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According to the sources, the Chairman of the Charcoal Traders Union in Monguno, Babagana Mallam, reported that four of his members Kaka Konto, Mainayi Modu, Alhaji Abba Bunu and Ibrahim Modu were attacked and shot dead by the assailants.
Two other traders, Bakura Bale and Bakura Abbagana, both from Abbari Ward, sustained gunshot injuries during the attack. Four others Adamu Yerima, Bukar Geidam, Dauda Mala Zara and Bukar Sale, all from Kuya Ward in Monguno were abducted and taken to an unknown destination.
“The injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital, Monguno, where those with fatal injuries were certified dead by a medical doctor. The two survivors with bullet wounds are responding to treatment,” one of the sources said.
Following the attack, troops of Operation HADIN KAI, alongside police tactical units, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, hunters and local vigilantes, visited the scene. The bodies of the deceased were later released to their families for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
The sources added that search-and-rescue operations are ongoing to locate and rescue the abducted traders.
