Hong LG attack: 5,000 persons displaced — Emergency Agency

The Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency says no fewer than 5,000 persons are displaced after some groups suspected to be Boko Haram members attacked a community in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa on Friday.

The executive secretary of the agency, Dr Mohammed Sulaiman announced this in Yola on Sunday, noting that the displacement affected many other neighbouring communities in the area.

He recalled that the insurgents came in nine vehicles on Friday to attack Kwapre village in Dugwaba District of Hong Local Government Area.

He also said that the insurgents surrounded the village and killed seven people, including three children.

“During the attack, 50 houses, worship centres, markets and schools were burnt.

“Many people, including women, girls and men, were kidnapped by the attackers .

“ However, we received a report that eight persons among the kidnapped victims escaped.

“The displaced during the attack and are taking refuge in near by villages,” he said.

The District Head of Dugwaba, Mr  Simon Yakubu told our Correspondent in Yola that the attackers invaded the village at about 1 p.m. and started  shooting.

“During the attack that lasted for more than two hours, more than 20 persons are injured and no fewer than 20 persons are kidnapped by the attackers.

“Places of worship, schools, shops food stores and village head house were destroyed,” Yakubu said.

He said that the injured had been receiving treatment at Hong General Hospital, while two persons who were critically injured by gunshot had been referred to Federal Medical Centre, Yola.

According to him, many villages  in Dugwaba district, including Kwapre are few kilometres away from Sambisa forest where insurgents use for attacks.

He also recalled that in 2014, Kwapre village was attacked and destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents.

When contacted, Mr. James Pukuma, Chairman, Hong Local Government Area, said that normalcy has returned to the area as security and local security groups had been deployed to protect lives and property.

He called on the people of the area to be vigilant and report any suspicious move to the nearest security agency for quick response.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in Adamawa, DSP Sulaiman Nguroje confirmed the attack.