Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have killed a police inspector and seven civilians during an attack on Gaya community in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The attack reportedly occurred on Monday night when the gunmen stormed the community, setting two houses ablaze before fleeing the area.
The Chairman of Hong Local Government Area, Aliyu Sa’ad, confirmed the incident on Tuesday, saying eight people were killed in the attack.
He said, “The attackers came on the night of Monday and launched a bloody attack on two houses, burnt the houses and killed one police officer and seven civilians during the attack.”
Sa’ad added that security personnel, including soldiers, policemen, hunters and other operatives, had been deployed to the community to track down the attackers.
The Adamawa State Police Command also confirmed the incident, although it gave a lower initial casualty figure.
The command’s spokesperson, Suleiman Nguroje, said five bodies, including those of four civilians and a police inspector, had been recovered when security personnel arrived at the scene.
“The report we received from the area is that on Monday night, dead bodies of five people were recovered, four civilians and an inspector of police, after the attackers left,” Nguroje said.
He explained that the security agencies were still gathering information from the area and pursuing the attackers.
“We are still waiting for an update, since troops have been deployed with all the security agencies, including vigilante and hunters, to hunt for the attackers,” he added.
Nguroje said the police would provide further details as soon as more information became available.
“If there is any new development concerning the attack, I will surely contact you for a detailed briefing,” he stated.
The latest incident adds to the security concerns in Hong LGA, which has experienced repeated attacks attributed to insurgents in recent months.
The council chairman said security forces were working to apprehend those behind the latest attack and restore normalcy to the affected community.
Communities in Adamawa have continued to face attacks from Boko Haram and other armed groups operating in areas around the Sambisa Forest.
Sa’ad also said a proposed military barracks at Garaha, located near a route reportedly used by insurgents to access the Sambisa Forest, had yet to begin operations.
