Boko Haram Terrorists Kill 17 Youths In Yobe Over Alleged Unpaid Taxes

Damaturu, Yobe State– Suspected Boko Haram terrorists report killed 17 youths on Monday, in Nguro Kayayya, a community under Kusur Damakarwa Ward in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, over ‘failure to pay tax.’

An eyewitness said that the assailants stormed the village at about 10 pm, rounding up residents in a central location before carrying out the heinous acts, the victims, primarily youths, were reportedly targeted for their alleged failure to pay taxes demanded by the attackers.

“They selected 21 youths who were between the ages of 20 to 30 and shot them at close range, while young children and the old were spared.

“Seventeen died instantly, while the remaining four were rushed to the hospital in critical conditions.

He said the insurgents took the measure after several warnings to the villagers to pay their taxes but to no avail.

“After the heinous act, they handed another stern warning to the villagers on the consequences of tax evasion before they left,” he said.

While confirming the incident to the newsmen, Babagana Aisami Geidam, a human rights activist, reported that 16 bodies had been laid to rest by Islamic rite.

He explained that military personnel had been deployed to the village in question.

Captain Muhammad Shehu, the Assistant Director of Public Relations Officer for Operation Lafiya Dole, affirmed the incident and said that the terrorists claimed that the villagers were providing information to the troops who were actively pursuing them from their hideouts.

“They, the terrorists, launched the attack on the villagers in retaliation, accusing them of assisting us by providing valuable information to aid in their apprehension.”

“I cannot provide you with the exact number of casualties, but what I can confirm is that military personnel have been deployed, and the situation has been brought under control,” he added.