Boko Haram kills 25 'Civilian-JTF' Members In Borno

Twenty-five members of the volunteer youth vigilance group, popularly
called civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), were killed by Boko Haram
atthe weekend in Borno State in counter-insurgency operations against
the Islamist sect.
About 1, 000 youths, mostly members of the civilian JTF, had mobilized
on Friday afternoon in over 30 vehicles to smoke out insurgents
believed to be hiding at Mainok, a small community along
Maiduguri-Damaturu Road, about 58 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state
capital.
The counter-insurgency operation, according to the youths, was
informed by a tip-off from residents that many of the Boko Haram
members who fled Maiduguri following persistent arrests and killings
of the insurgents took refuge in Mainok, a serene community and its
neighbouring villages.
However, the situation went awry shortly after the youths commenced
the operation as a group that went into a nearby village around Mainok
was attacked by the insurgents, killing over five of them.
Residents claimed they had ealier warned the youths against pursuing
the Boko Haram into the bush, sensing danger because of the caliber of
arms of the insurgents but the overzealous young men pushed on. "It is
unfortunate we lost some of the civilian JTF. These guys have been
doing well. They are patrotric Nigerians because they have cometo our
rescue when all hope was lost. Nobody will ever thought some boys can
checkmate the madness going on. Government should encourage them, they
deserve honour for their patriotism," a resident, who did not want his
name in print, said.
JTF spokesman, Lt-Col Sagir Musa, confirmed that the youths were on
operation in Mainok last Friday, but said one was killed. "In the
course of the operation, they were attacked by suspected members of
Boko Haram terrorists which led to the killing of one youth vigilante
and another one sustained injury. Both the deceased and the wounded
are in a specialist hospital in Maiduguri metropolis," Sagir said in a
statement.
He said the military moved to the area at about 11pm on Friday on
hearing the news, adding that troops were drafted to the area and its
surrounding villages "with a view to apprehending the sect members."
Also at Dawashe, near Baga in Kukawa Local Government, over 20 people
were also killed. "A group of civilian JTF from Maiduguri stormed
Dawashe in search of the insurgents when the suspected sectmembers
came, armed and fired sporadic shots that killed over 20 innocent
civilians while a dozen received serious gunshot injuries," Media
Coordinator of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Lt Haruna
Mohammed Sani, said through an email message. He said the victims were
receiving medical treatment provided by the MNJTF in the Headquarters
Field Ambulance in Baga.