Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno has commiserated with families of victims of Boko Haram/Islamic State of the West Africa Province (ISWAP) attack at Mudu village in Kala Balge Local Government Area of the state.

In a condolence message by Isa Gusau, his media aide, Mr Zulum expressed grief over the incident on May 21 at deserted Mudu village.

“Pending a full report, the governor was briefed by the Majority Leader, Borno State House of Assembly, Mohammed Dige, who represents Kala-Balge, where the victims hailed from.

“From the lawmaker’s briefing, a total of 32 youths are believed to have been killed by the insurgents.

“Gov. Zulum shares deeply the pains of bereaved families and the good people of Kala-Balge, and is awaiting full report by the end of today before necessary measures,” he said.

Mr Gusau said the victims were not farmers, adding that they were young men who engaged in gathering metal scraps popularly called ‘Kayan Ajaokuta’ sourced for steel production.

He said the victims were said to have gone to a deserted Mudu village, 45 kilometres away from Dikwa, searching for the raw materials.

The governor’s aide said the insurgents ambushed the victims, killed scores and wounded six persons, while two others escaped unhurt.

The governor’s aide said that a team of soldiers, alongside the chairman of Kala-Balge Local Government Council, on Tuesday, recovered 14 bodies of victims apparently tied and shot at close range.

(NAN)