Boko Haram kill soldier, burn churches in Adamawa

 

BY OUR EDITOR

Dare-devil Boko Haram terrorists went on rampage over the weekend in Adamawa State, killing a soldier and torching vehicles and buildings, including Churches, residential homes, hospitals and shops.

The soldier was killed as troops battled to dislodge the terrorists who attacked Garkida, Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The burnt places of worship were a parish of the Living Faith (aka Winners Chapel) and Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa, a Nigeria (EYN) church.

Last month, Boko Haram terrorists beheaded Rev. Lawan Andimi, chairman of the Michika LGA branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Adamawa State.

But as the level of insecurity rises nationwide, a former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, said: “Prayer can solve problems better and faster than generals and soldiers can do with physical weapons.”

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri on Sunday visited Garkida to sympathise with the people.

However, the 23 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army in a statement also said another soldier was injured by troops of 232 Battalion, who engaged the insurgents in gun duel.

The statement by Major Haruna Mohammed Sani, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, the 23 Armoured Brigade, indicated that the destruction would have been more extensive, but for intervention of the troops who killed some of the insurgents.

The statement reads: “Gallant troops of 232 Battalion of 23 Armoured Brigade under Operation Lafiya Dole deployed in Garkida, Gombi LGA of Adamawa State, had thwarted a planned criminal attack on the peaceful town on February 21, 2020 by some criminal Boko Haram terrorists.

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“The terrorists besieged the town in about seven-gun trucks and a number of motorcycles, setting some buildings ablaze and causing unrest within the community.

“Instinctively, the gallant troops mobilised and intercepted the criminals’ advance and engaged the marauding criminals unleashing high volume of fire, leading to the elimination of several of the criminals while others withdrew in disarray, many of them with gunshot wounds as evident in the trails of blood along their withdrawal route.

“Regrettably, one gallant soldier paid the supreme price while another soldier was wounded in action. The wounded   soldier has since been evacuated to a military medical facility and is positively responding to treatment.”

The statement added that the Commander of the 23 Armoured Brigade, Brig. Gen. Sani   Mohammed, who visited the troops in Garkida on Saturday, congratulated them for their fighting spirit, but warned them to be vigilant as the terrorists may plan a reprisal “due to the casualties they suffered.”

Gen.  Gowon and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, have advocated prayer as the surest means to ending the spate of killings and other forms of violent crimes in the country.

Gowon, who is the National Chairman and Convener of ‘Nigeria Prays’, spoke in COCIN LCC Millennium Quarters, Yelwan Kagadama, venue of the Northeast Zonal Prayer rally in Bauchi, Bauchi State.