No fewer than 74 houses were reportedly set ablaze as members of the dreaded Boko Haram group invaded Gubio Local Government Headquarters of Borno state on Thursday.
According to report the terrorists had absorbed into the Islamic State of West African Province, ISWAP and entered into the community in Camouflage Hilux vehicles and motorcycles.
The terrorists during the operation, whisked away to an unknown location the Principal Medical Officer of Gubio, Dr Geidam Bulama.
The victim according to reports, is the only serving medical practitioner in the area.
The recent terrorist attack is coming after a similar attack on a senior staff member of an international non-governmental organisation, Mallam Alkali Mohammed.
Mohammed was abducted some weeks ago from the Monguno local government area of the state, Naija News understands.
Reports gathered that the terrorists rode into Bulama’s house at about 2:00am on Thursday unrestricted.
A source who identified himself as Mohammed Usman Shettima told Vanguard that the insurgents after whisking away the PMO attached to the general hospital, came back after 30 minutes and set ablaze houses in the town.
The resident, however, said no life was lost in the incidents.
Confirming the attack, Chairman of Gubio local government area, Bukar Sulum Zowo expressed shock over the abduction, but insisted that no Boko Haram member set a house ablaze in Gubio, as the fire incident was a natural disaster that took place a day before the abduction.
Reports gathered that the terrorists rode into Bulama’s house at about 2:00am on Thursday unrestricted.
A source who identified himself as Mohammed Usman Shettima told Vanguard that the insurgents after whisking away the PMO attached to the general hospital, came back after 30 minutes and set ablaze houses in the town.
The resident, however, said no life was lost in the incidents.
Confirming the attack, Chairman of Gubio local government area, Bukar Sulum Zowo expressed shock over the abduction, but insisted that no Boko Haram member set a house ablaze in Gubio, as the fire incident was a natural disaster that took place a day before the abduction.
The politician also dismissed claims in some quarters that his administration is not doing enough to improve the welfare and logistical needs of local hunters/vigilantes who have been complementing the efforts of troops in the fight against Boko Haram in Gubio.
“The house of the PMO is just a few metres away from the Divisional Police Headquarters and a military formation located in the heart of Gubio town.
“It is very unfortunate that the security situation in Gubio town is now deteriorating these days, as we have started witnessing Boko Haram invasion without confrontation.
“Unlike before where the former Caretaker Chairman of Gubio, Hon Modu Gubio used to allocate resources to the security apparatus and provision of operational vehicles to our Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF/hunters/Vigilantes in complementing efforts of the military and other security agencies in the council, the present administration under the Executive Chairman, Hon Bukar Sulum Zowo is not doing anything in this regard, hence, the neglect aggravated recent attacks on our communities.
“Just yesterday, armed insurgents kidnapped our PMO attached to general hospital Gubio, the insurgents also came back after 30 minutes and set ablaze over 74 houses in the town, fortunately, no life was lost in the incidents,” Shettima lamented.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Health, Juliana Bitrus said the ministry was working to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped doctor.
“Yes, I just received a distress call this morning (Wednesday) that our resilient PMO, Dr Bulama was kidnapped by suspected terrorists in Gubio town.
“The ministry is very sad about the incident, we are liaising with appropriate security agencies and stakeholders to ensure safe return/freedom of Dr Bulama, as we solicit supports and prayers from all and sundry, please,” Bitrus said.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the council, Zowo who was in Maiduguri on official engagement rushed back to Gubio to ascertain the actual abduction saga.
