Scores of construction workers have been reportedly killed by the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), formerly known as Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād.
It was learnt that the terrorists attacked a construction site and a military base in Sabon-Gari, Damboa local government area of Borno State, on Thursday. The construction workers were said to be working on a bridge being constructed at Wajiluku.
Wajiluku is a border town between Damboa and Biu LGAs. Recall that ISWAP terrorists had, a few years back, destroyed the bridge linking these two council areas through the road.
One of the workers who escaped during the attack told newsmen, “Over 60 civilians were killed in a separate attack in Sabon-Gari on Thursday as well. These civilians are labourers and engineers working on a bridge at Wajiluku”.
According to him, “These civilian workers were sleeping at the military base after their work for their safety; but unfortunately, about 60 of them were killed when Boko Haram terrorists attacked the base. The soldiers had promised them protection, but the terrorists later took over the base.
“In Biu alone, 23 of their villagers who were labourers working on that bridge were killed. Funeral prayers were conducted for ten of them at the Emir’s Palace on Thursday evening, while others were taken away by their families.
“A few years ago, ISWAP destroyed the bridge linking these LGAs, so these workers were rebuilding the collapsed bridge. Apart from the military base, these workers also camped in a nearby primary school, which was also attacked.
“ISWAP doesn’t want the bridge to be rebuilt, that was the reason why the road is not in use till now. They came in large numbers, overpowered the military, and killed these innocent workers and about 10 soldiers who failed to withdraw.”
According to earlier reports, a yet-to-be-confirmed number of soldiers were killed by militants from the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram.
Military sources said that the attack occurred on Thursday, when the insurgents launched an assault on the military formation, firing sporadically and causing numerous casualties, including soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
The Nigerian Army has repeatedly claimed that insurgency has been largely defeated and frequently underplays any losses.
The terror group has caused over 100,000 deaths and displaced millions of people mainly in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states.
