Boko Haram Insurgents Launch Deadly Assault on Tarfa Community in Borno
Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have carried out a brutal attack in Tarfa community, located within the Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, resulting in the tragic deaths of a senior pastor and four other residents. The violent incident occurred on Thursday evening, around 7:00 p.m., when the insurgents invaded the area, creating chaos and destruction.
Details of the Attack and Casualties
According to reports, the attackers arrived on motorcycles and operated for approximately two hours, firing sporadically into the air. This assault forced dozens of residents to flee for their safety, while many houses and shops were set ablaze. An anonymous resident, who was also a victim of the attack, revealed that the militants faced no resistance from military or security agencies during their operation.
Confirming the devastating event, Most Reverend John Bakeni, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno State, spoke in a telephone interview from Maiduguri on Friday. He stated, "No fewer than five residents were killed in the evening attack, including our pastor, Musa Umaru." Bakeni further explained that the pastor had been a long-term resident of Tarfa, living there for over a decade, and lamented the extensive damage, noting that the entire village was razed and vehicles belonging to residents were burnt.
Eyewitness Accounts and Calls for Intervention
An eyewitness described the attack as devastating, with the insurgents storming the community en masse and setting numerous structures on fire, including homes, shops, and a church. The source, who chose to remain anonymous, appealed urgently for protection from the military and other security agencies, particularly for communities near the Sambisa Forest. "We are under threat. They killed five people including Pastor Evangelist Musa Umoru," the witness lamented, adding that they had already fled Tarfa and were calling for federal and state government intervention to safeguard lives and property in the affected areas.
This attack highlights ongoing security challenges in Borno State, raising concerns about the safety of residents in remote communities and the need for enhanced measures to combat terrorism in the region.
