Survivors of last Sunday’s terrorist attack on Babbangida community in the Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State have recounted their horrific experiences.
The attack, which claimed the lives of about 100 people and left many injured, Sunday PUNCH gathered, was carried out by gunmen on motorcycles, who stormed the village, unleashing mayhem on unsuspecting residents.
It was gathered that before opening fire, the insurgents issued a stern warning, accusing the villagers of providing information to security agencies about terrorist activities in the area. Following this, they selected some residents and executed them.
Although the Yobe State Police confirmed 34 deaths, it has been revealed that many bodies remain undiscovered, while others were seen decomposing in nearby bushes.
Some survivors, who spoke anonymously to Sunday PUNCH to avoid being identified and targeted, reported the presence of decomposing bodies in the neighbouring Mafa village.
They called on the state government to take immediate action to prevent an outbreak of disease in the community.
Leading the Friday funeral rites for the deceased, an Islamic cleric, Mallam Abdulrahman Babbangida, prayed for the repose of the victims’ souls and encouraged the survivors to maintain their faith and pray for an end to the ongoing violence.
A humanitarian volunteer, Garba Bulama, while recounting his ordeal, said, “The attackers assembled the villagers, accused them of informing security agencies about their activities, and then began to kill them. Most of those killed were adult males and were slaughtered in front of their wives and children. The attackers spared the women and children.”
A retired Islamic teacher at Babbangida, Mohammed Audu, said the incident was beyond comprehension, adding that only God could pass judgment.
“We helped prepare the bodies for burial when security operatives brought them to Babbangida General Hospital; 37 bodies were buried, and more may be found if the search continues,” he said.
Audu also suggested that compensation from the government could help alleviate the suffering of the victims’ families and urged them to accept any compensation offered.
It was learnt that the head of Mafa village, Mai Gana Lawan, had been housing many of the displaced persons and providing for their needs with support from various sources.
A N30m fund was provided by the state government, a member of the House of Representatives, Hajiya Khadija Bukar Ibrahim, and the Director General of the Bureau for Public Procurement, Ismael Mai Adamu, who is a native of the area.
Meanwhile, efforts to speak with the village head were unsuccessful, as he was said to be out of town when our correspondent visited.