A civilian joint task force (CJTF) member was killed when three armed men, suspected of being members of the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS), better known as Boko Haram, raided his house in the Aburi internally displaced persons’ camp in Damboa town.

Babagana Gambo, a spokesman for the CJTF told RNI that the men stormed into Modu Diram’s house on Tuesday, June 6, in the evening. They shot him and left. Diram died instantly.

“Troops were guarding the camp so we do not know how the insurgents entered. We think they must have infiltrated the camp via Wuyaram, a village close to the town on the other side of the river, as it is the only place without a military presence.”

Similar attacks have occurred in the camp previously. In 2021, suspected insurgents killed one man and kidnapped 17 women.

Diram’s sister said: “My brother was a good person and had good friends but he also had enemies because of the nature of his job.

No one has been able to identify the killers but we suspect they were Boko Haram [JAS] insurgents.

“We lost a good person and we are in pain and in mourning. He left behind three children and his wife.”

Residents of the camp said they were frightened by the attack but calm was restored and troops are patrolling the town.

Also on Tuesday, security operatives successfully foiled an attack by insurgents in Gajiganna in the Magumeri Local Government Area.

Residents said the insurgents arrived on bikes and in vehicles. They were shooting haphazardly. Residents ran to their homes to escape and wait for troops to arrive.

A resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “At about 8pm we heard gunshots and we ran to our houses to hide. Troops arrived and they shot at the insurgents. It has been a long time since we were last attacked, so it really scared us.

“We heard that a man was killed by a stray bullet. Others sustained wounds while they were running to their houses.”

Modu Zarami, also a resident, said: “It has been so long since we were last attacked that it really frightened us. One man was killed and one was kidnapped and is still with the insurgents.

We don’t know yet whether the man who was killed was an insurgent or a soldier.

“We do not know the motive for the attack but we think the insurgents want us to stop farming.

“Although things are back to normal, the residents of Gajiganna are fearful. The farming season is coming and the town is known for producing good harvests. Some residents rear livestock. The area is also known to be rich in oil.”

AISHA SD JAMAL