A band of hunters, famed in Borno for turning the heat on robbers and kidnappers, have reportedly shot dead a Boko Haram commander and his deputy during a gun duel in Shafa Taku village, in the southern part of the state.
The two commanders were known for heading the insurgents to unleash terror on rural communities in the area.
From Shaffa Taku, the Islamist militants set out every day to terrorise the locals of Mandaragirau in Biu Local Government area, Sabon Gari in Damboa, and other fringe villages in Askira-Uba council areas, it was gathered..
Residents said they forcefully collect taxes, loot foodstuff and rustle livestock in the benighted communities. Scores had also been killed by these terrorists, local sources informed.
To end the reign of terror, however, the community reportedly contacted the hunters’ group under the leadership of one Yohanna, to come to their rescue.
The hunters were said to have stormed the Shafa Taku axis of Sambisa Forest, where they confronted the insurgents.
“Yes, we acted on intelligence about the movement of insurgents given residents,” Yohanna recounted to journalists.
Yohanna added that he and his men moved into action upon receiving the information about the terrorists.
“I mobilised my team and stormed the spot at Shaffa Taku, a deserted community in Damboa and luckily we sighted the terrorists numbering more than 20, riding on motorcycles.
“We engaged them in a gun battle, and we were able to kill the Commander and his Deputy, while several others fled with gunshot wounds.
“We also recovered one motorcycle and one AK47 rifle from the terrorists. Presently, I have informed the authorities of the 231 Battalion in Biu, and we are going to meet today (Tuesday) for onward handing over of the recovered AK47 rifle and the motorcycle,” he said.
