Boko Haram kill 2 police officers, firewood scavengers in Borno State

Two Policemen were, yesterday, killed during a failed attempt to invade the Nganzai Police Division, in Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State by gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram Terrorists, BHT.

This came as suspected BHT invaded parts of Gwoza LGA of state and slaughtered an unspecified number of firewood scavengers, with five other persons escaped death with severe injuries after they stepped on Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs while attempting to confront the gunmen.

Commissioner of Police CP Yusufu Lawal, during a visit to Nganzai Police Division, commended officers for their bravery and condoled with families of two officers who lost their lives.

In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Daso, said “On 9th January 2025 at about 12:10 am, unknown gunmen suspected to be BokoHaram Terrorist attempted to invade Nganzai Police Division, gallant officers who were on watch repelled the terrorists, after series of exchange in gun battle, the terrorist threw hand-grenades which unfortunately landed on a shelter tent behind the division, and fatally wounded two officers.

“During the scene assessment by the Commissioner of Police, two hand grenades were recovered by EOD – CBRN Base 13 Maiduguri, The body of the deceased have been taken to State General Hospital Maiduguri.

“The Commissioner of Police commended the gallant officers who stood their ground to prevent the attack and condoles with the families of the two officers who lost their lives.

“The Command remains dedicated and committed in ensuring safety and security for all and calls for calm as normalcy has been restored. The following numbers are available for emergencies: 0806 807 5581, 0802 347 3293”

Similarly, suspected BHT invaded parts of Gwoza LGA and slaughtered an unspecified number of firewood scavengers with five other persons escaped death with severe injuries after they stepped on Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, while attempting to confront the gunmen.

Gwoza was hitherto declared a BHT enclave before it was liberated by troops some years ago.

It is located in Southern Borno Senatorial District where Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume hails from.

Recall that Senator Ndume had in the last two days lamented over the renewed BHT attacks on communities in his constituency including Mandara Mountain, Damboa, Biu’s Mandaga Girau, and parts of Ngulde and Ngwahi in Askira/Uba LGA and Wajirko village in Damboa.

There was also last week’s attack on Sabon Gari of Damboa LGA where six soldiers were killed, with the Defence Headquarters confirming that 34 terrorists were killed during the encounter.

Vanguard Correspondent was told yesterday that “Some terrorists attacked the victims at the outskirt of Gwoza town around the axis of Yamtake- Izge- Damboa road on Thursday Morning without confrontation”
Another Source claimed, “the renewed cases of onslaught by terrorists was not unconnected with the lack of functional Tucano airstrike jets and military attack helicopters in the whole of the North East Theatre Command ‘Operation Hadin KAI’ as obtained in the past.”

Residents of Gwoza and relatives of victims who did not want to be mentioned informed that Gwoza people had been mourning since morning (yesterday) after the incident, calling on the security agencies to do the needful by protecting lives and property in the affected area.