Zulum says 35 killed, six injured in Borno attack

• Lawan suspends campaign over killing of farmers
• Gunmen abduct three clerics, four others in Katsina

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has confirmed the killing of 35 youths by the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Kala/Balge Local Council.

The youths were killed while they were scavenging for metal scraps in some of the border villages with Cameroon last Sunday. Earlier reports had it that over 70 farmers were killed in the attack.

Spokesman to the Governor, Isa Gusau, stated, yesterday, in Maiduguri, that 14 bodies were recovered. He said that six youths were injured, while others escaped unhurt in the border communities.

CONSEQUENTLY, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, yesterday, mourned the farmers killed by terrorists in Borno on Sunday.
Lawan, who was supposed to continue his political campaign in Borno, yesterday, announced its cancellation and his engagement with the state’s party leaders as well as delegates to honour the farmers killed at the outskirts of Kala Balge Local Council.

While in Maiduguri, yesterday, on a condolence visit, the Senate President met with Governor Zulum, and the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai, to commiserate with the government and people of Borno.

Lawan told the Shehu in his palace that he had wanted to meet with the delegates in continuation of his presidential campaign.

“We pray God to forgive their sins and Paradise be their final resting place,” he added. Responding, Governor Zulum thanked the Senate President and his entourage for the gesture.

MEANWHILE, terrorists have abducted three clerics as well as four lay faithful of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Gidan Maikambo community, Kafur Local Council of Katsina State.

Rev. Stephen Ojapa and Rev. Oliver Okpara, along with two others, were abducted in the wee hours of yesterday from the parish.
The other cleric, Rev. Ibrahim Garba of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), was abducted at Gidan Garba community, alongside two other members of the church, on Sunday night.

It was learnt that yesterday’s abductors stormed the parish and shot sporadically before whisking the victims away. The Director of Social Communications, Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Christopher Omotosho, confirmed that the parish priest and his assistant were kidnapped.

He said the gunmen also took away two boys, adding that the diocese was yet to receive any information regarding their whereabouts.
Omotosho, however, called on parishioners to pray for their safety.

The Secretary, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Katsina, Musa Peters, also confirmed the abduction of Rev. Garba of ECWA in the state.

They, therefore, called on the federal and state governments to intervene in the situation, by rescuing the victims and beefing up security in the council.

When contacted, spokesperson for the police command in the state, SP Gambo Isah, said he was yet to get information on the incident.