Gunmen in 50 vehicles destroy public buildings, telecom masts in Borno

by Akan Ido

The violence in the Northern part of the country continued yesterday with reports that hundreds of gunmen in a convoy of over fifty vehicles attacked Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

The gunmen who were said to have been conveyed in Hilux vans burnt down public buildings like schools, hospitals/clinics, police stations and all telecommunications masts in the council headquarters.

Marte has seen unhindered violence by gunmen suspected to be members of the dreaded Islamic militant group, Boko Haram.

Marte is about 150 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital which also shares borders with Baga and Chad Republic.

According to a police officer: “The gunmen invaded the town at about 4pm with over 50 Hilux 4-wheel drive vehicles armed with sophisticated weapons, chanting Allahu Akbar, meaning (God is Great) and started throwing Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, at all public structures without being challenged by security operatives.”

Another source reportedly said: “Apart from the Lake Chad Development site, no other public structure remained standing in the town as all of them have been destroyed by the terrorists.”

After the violence which happened in Baga, the sect was said to have issued a warning to those working in government buildings to vacate them before they strike.

The state commissioner of police was not available to confirm the incident as his mobile phones could not be reached.