members of the Boko Haram militants who attacked Gubio town in Borno State at the weekend.
In the last four weeks, the insurgents have renewed attacks and killings on towns and villages, especially in Borno less than two months after they were dislodged from hundreds of communities they earlier took over as part their territorial conquests.
Over 400 houses, mosques, public and private schools and vehicles were equally destroyed by the invading insurgents who thronged to Gubio on Sunday.
Details of the siege emerged on Tuesday during a visit to the town by Governor Kashim Shettima.
Gubio is 93 kilometers north of Maiduguri and was one of the few towns that the Boko Haram could not establish permanent presence.
Officials of local vigilantes, also known as civilian JTF told Governor Shettima that the insurgents stormed Gubio in a convoy and engaged in sporadic shootings and burning.
"The terrorists killed 37 people, including two young boys," said Alhaji Bukar Mondama, the leader of the vigilantes.
"They destroyed over 400 structures, including eight mosques, four schools, the local government’s secretariat, 22 vehicles and several motorbikes.
''They came around 4.30pm when we were playing football and caught us off guard with sporadic shootings. There was serious confusion in the whole town because everybody was running helter-skelter. We tried to confront them but we were incapacitated, they showcased unmatchable weapons, deadly explosives and heartless fighters," he said.
Another vigilante, Modu Yusuf said beside their commanders, most of the assailants
were young children, aged between 12 and 16.
