The Yobe government on Tuesday announced the donation of N30 million to the families of the victims of an insurgent attack in Mafa, Tarmuwa Local Government.

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Mafa on Sunday, killing 34 residents and burning down shops and houses in the village.

Idi Gubana, the state deputy governor, made the announcement when he led a delegation to Babangida, the headquarters of Tarmuwa, for the funeral of the 34 slain persons.

He sympathised with the Emir of Jajere, Mai Buba Mashio, and the people of the area over the dastardly act.

Mr Gubana directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide shelter and food to the displaced persons who lost all their belongings due to the attack.

He stated that Governor Mai Mala Buni, who was utterly devastated by the killings, had visited the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, over sustainable security in Mafa.

The deputy governor noted that deploying sufficient troops in Mafa – located at the border of Borno and Yobe- would prevent future attacks in the trade hub.

Commenting on the attack, retired Brig.- Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam, Mr Buni’s Special Adviser on Security Matters, debunked claims that more than 34 people died in the attack.

” The figure is 34 people that were found dead, while five persons sustained injuries. Four are in critical condition, while the other sustained a minor injury and is in stable condition.

”Any information apart from this is just a rumour. Nobody has gone to Mafa yesterday other than the troops who brought these bodies.

” The insurgents are not confronting the military; they are confronting innocent civilians who are soft targets,” he said.

(NAN)