By Atoyebi Nike
Boko Haram insurgents launched a deadly raid on Wagga Mongoro, a rural community in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, late Tuesday night, killing four residents and forcing many others to flee.
The attackers stormed the village around 11:40 p.m., shooting sporadically and setting buildings ablaze. Victims were identified as David Mbicho, his son Daniel, Jude Jacob, and Omega Duda.
“They burnt churches, motorcycles, houses, and a car,” said a local resident, adding that the vigilante group that tried to resist was overpowered by the heavily armed fighters. “There was no official security presence, so our vigilante group had to abandon the fight.”
Security forces only arrived on Wednesday morning, hours after fleeing residents began returning to assess the destruction.
The attack is the second in recent months. In July, insurgents raided Wagga Mongoro, torching houses and displacing residents. The renewed assault has triggered another wave of displacement.
“Right now, people have packed their bags and are leaving for Yola and other safer places to stay with their loved ones. Nobody wants to stay behind to witness this kind of incident again,” said another resident.
According to the UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Boko Haram’s insurgency has displaced more than 200,000 people in Adamawa State, mostly from Michika and Madagali LGAs.
“Our greatest need right now is security,” the resident added. “Some of us don’t want to leave our homes, but we are scared.”
