By Ndahi Marama
Survivors of Sunday’s attack by Boko Haram terrorists on a mosque in Mafa, Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State, where no fewer than 100 civilians were killed, have recounted their ordeals.
Recall that Boko Haram terrorists raided Mafa last Sunday about 4 p.m., when worshippers were about to conclude their Asir prayers at a mosque and opened fire on the victims, after separating elderly and herdsmen from the congregation.
The 34 out of the 87 corpses, which were recovered from the scene were evacuated to Babbangida General Hospital for burial, while over 50 decomposed bodies were given a mass burial last Monday, a day after the deadly attack.
Mafa village is close to Shekau, the ancestral home of the late Boko Haram Leader/Founder, Sheikh Abubakar Shekau.
One of the survivors, who spoke to our Correspondent on condition of anonymity said he escaped by a whiskers
He said: “I was lucky to come out of the mosques early, I saw them (insurgents) waiting, one of them shouted that I should go back but I ran way.
“We counted about 87 corpses after the terrorists left, while other dead bodies were recovered as people ran for their dear lives to the bush. Unfortunately, no security operatives was present at scene even after the attack.”
According to another survivor, who simply gave his name as Mallam Ali Isiaka, who attended the burial, one of his son was killed, even as he called on the security agencies to do the needful, as most of the people in the area were farmers, who would soon start harvesting their crops.
“Most of our people here are farmers and herders. It is unfortunate that after the incident, many people fled the village leaving their farmlands and hard-earned properties due to fear of another attack.”
“We are calling on the government and the security agencies to come to our aid and provide protection of lives and property in Mafa village and the entire Tarmuwa council,” Said Isiaka.
Vanguard observed that security operatives in the area have been degrading terrorists without giving adequate security cover to the community, who claimed that the insurgent’s latest deadly attack was on suspicion that some members of the community have been giving privileged information on the modus operandi of the insurgents to security agencies, hence the reprisal attack.
Presently, Mafa village is deserted as people are afraid of another deadly attack by the rampaging insurgents.
