The Chairman of Hong Local Government Area in Adamawa State, Usman Wa?anganda, has cried out in anguish following another deadly attack by Boko Haram insurgents on Kopre village, where at least 10 hunters and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) were killed on Saturday.

The fresh attack, which occurred around 4:00 p.m. on April 26, 2025, saw armed insurgents storm the border community on motorcycles, overpowering local defenders with superior firepower.

The onslaught left many houses burnt and deepened fears among residents already living under the shadow of repeated assaults.

Wa?anganda, speaking exclusively to The Guardian in an interview, lamented the worsening security situation in Kopre, a village sharing a porous border with the notorious Sambisa forest, a stronghold of the Boko Haram terror group.

?You know Kopre is one of the villages that shares a border with Sambisa forest, so Boko Haram frequently enters and attacks,? he said. ?We only have hunters there. There are no soldiers or any security presence. Even when we call them, they don?t come.?

According to him, 17 people have been killed in Kopre and other nearby villages in the last two weeks alone, with many others fleeing their homes to escape further attacks.

Wa?anganda warned that the continued displacement of farmers could devastate food production as the rainy season approaches.

He acknowledged ongoing efforts by the Adamawa State Government to empower local vigilantes but insisted that more must be done.

?The security situation here is disappointing. I advise the government to send a battalion here so that our people can return to their homes and farms,? he pleaded.

Sources revealed that the hunters and Civilian JTF members killed on Saturday had been deployed from Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State and other parts of Adamawa to reinforce security in Kopre. However, they were overwhelmed by the insurgents? sophisticated weaponry.

Since 2024, Kopre has suffered repeated terrorist attacks, with at least 40 villagers abducted by insurgents still languishing in captivity.

Meanwhile, the Adamawa State Police Command has deployed additional personnel to the area to strengthen security.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahya Nguroje, said the officers were tasked with improving surveillance, protecting lives and property, and recovering illegal arms.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Dankombo Morris, urged the deployed personnel to act professionally and respond promptly to distress calls, emphasizing the force?s commitment to safeguarding residents. (The Guardian)

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