Reports have emerged from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, that at least 24 volunteers of the vigilante group popularly called ‘Civilian JTF,’ were killed in Monguno at the weekend by suspected members of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, with many other members declared missing.
Monguno a town of about 170 kilometres from Maiduguri to the north and home to an army base has witnessed series of activities of the sect members in the past.
According to a sources, “the vigilante youths, numbering over 100, were on a mission to capture some Boko Haram terrorists in their camps around Kaleri, Shuwari, Maganari and Nannari villages before they were ambushed and attacked by the terrorists, a development that led to the death of 24 youths. About 36 are still missing.
“In fact, there was an initial arrangement with military troops to accompany the vigilante youths to the said Boko Haram camps in Monguno, but when the youths waited for the arrival of the military for some hours in vain, they decided to visit the area with a view to arresting the suspects.
“But unknown to them, the armed Boko Haram members had disguised in military uniforms with three captured patrol vehicles of the security agencies. This made the vigilante youths to conclude that the military men had gone to the camp ahead of them.
“So, as they approached the camps, the terrorists opened fire and killed about 15 of them, while nine others who had fortified themselves with anti-bullet charms were killed by being crushed with the patrol vehicles.
“But as I am talking to you now, about 36 of the volunteer youths are still missing, while we received an unconfirmed report that five of the youths who escaped the attack with broken legs and hands were rescued by some good Samaritans and are in one of the villages close to the camps, receiving treatment from the villagers.”
A top politician and close associate of the state governor, who did not want his name in print, confirmed the incident.
“Already, Alhaji Mohammed Nur Monguno, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Monguno, has rushed to Maiduguri today (Saturday) to brief Governor Kashim Shettima on the incident,” the politician said.
However, the JTF spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa or the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Gideon Jubrin could not be reached for confirmation as at press time due to the lack of telecommunications network.