•Boko Haram terrorists
Boko Haram insurgents invaded several villages and towns, killing at least two soldiers and countless numbers of civilians around Garaha District, the home village of former Secretary of the Government of the Federation, SGF Mr Boss Mustapha.
Reports from Garaha District in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State said on Christmas Day, the terrorists invaded the town of Mayo Ladde, under Garaha, which borders Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State and the Sambisa Forest.
An eye witness account said the Boko Haram numbering in several hundreds invaded the town overpowering the security forces, reports Saturday Independent.
Sources said the police, troops of 144 Battalion and Civilian JTF were taken unawares, and Boko Haram invaded the Garaha Market before killing two soldiers whose bodies were later taken to the Federal Medical Centre(FMC) in Hong Local Government Area of the state.
Police sources said that the hardworking anti-terror unit based in Garaha District, led by Supol Kuva Gaya, received several reports of distress calls by 2 am on Christmas Day, and the unit, in collaboration with the 144 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, including JTF, responded swiftly to the cries of the people of Garaha, but during the attack, several lives were lost, including those of two soldiers.
Sources could not confirm the number of civilians who lost their lives,but according to eyewitnesses, the situation was gravely deplorable.
The Adamawa State Police Command confirmed the development but the Police Public Relations Officers, Supol Yahaya Nguroje, said the Boko Haram insurgents invaded the community during Christmas but the situation has been brought under control.
Eyewitness accounts said Garaha, which borders Sambisa village, have been unfortunately a target of the insurgents for several years.
When journalists visited the FMC Hong, it was confirmed by the hospital management that some soldiers were taken to the hospital, including those injured and those who could not survive the attack.
While attempting to visit Garaha from the Hong Local Government Area, eyewitnesses said it was dangerous to embark on the road as the situation was gravely dangerous.
The Hong Local Government Area Executive Chairman was absent from office as at the time journalists visited his office.
The Army Public Relations officer under the 23 Brigade of the Nigerian Army was yet to state the development, and all calls put to them were rejected.
Life is yet to return to normal in the entire Garaha District as several persons have run to Hong as IDPs.
