At least, 45 people were killed when they were lured by fake preachers working in concert with Boko Haram terrorists. Several others sustained gunshot wounds during the incident which took place at Bargari village of Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State on Wednesday night.

A resident of the village, who escaped into the bush but returned to pick up his pieces, Mallam Abubakar Maikudi, said “the gunmen who came into the village at about 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday gathered residents in one place, convincing them that they came into Bargari to propagate the teaching/preaching of Islam and when almost all residents were gathered, another large group of terrorists came from nowhere and opened fire on the congregation.

Maikudi said: “I counted 45 dead bodies, including that of one of my neighbours on the ground.

“We started running for dear lives. I was able to escape without being shot, but the gunmen killed over 40 and injured many before they started looting valuables and set structures ablaze. They razed the whole village.”

Another escapee, who did not mention his name, said “the gunmen, numbering 20, ambushed the village with four Toyota Hilux vehicles, AK47 rifles, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and petrol bombs and wreaked havoc before they fled towards the Sambisa forest.”

Calls put through to the mobile lines of the state Police Public Relations Officer, Gideon Jubrin, to confirm the incidents, were unsuccessful, but a top police officer confirmed the attack, pointing out that “45 people were killed when suspected terrorist group invaded Bargari village, leaving several others seriously injured.”

The attack also left many people displaced, as the terrorists set houses, shops, vehicles, motocycles and bicycles ablaze, before carting away food items and livestock.

Bargari is on the outskirts of Maiduguri, the state capital and about 30 kilometres south east of Giwa Barracks, which came under attack on March 14.

•Adapted from a Nigerian Tribune report. Photo shows Boko Haram henchmen.