A seven-man committee constituted by Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno
State, last week, to ascertain if anyone was abducted by the Boko Horam sect
and the actual number of people missing in Bam Village near Buratai town as
reported by media has submitted its report. The committee which was headed by
Aliyu Mamman Kachallah noted that Bam-Buratai, the headquarters of Biu Local
Government Council, was attacked by terrorists. According to the report, there
were no security operatives before and during the attack which occurred on
November 28 at 10pm. The committee also confirmed that members of Pidigum
Mohammed Pindar’s family were abducted including Mrs. Gambo Pidigum and Mrs.
Hamsatu Pidigum, the first and second wives respectively. The abducted
children are Hauwa’u Pidigum, 8, and a primary 3 school girl, Abdullahi
Pidigum, aged 2 years 6 months, Ummi Pidigum, a year and 6 months old girl and
Rabi Pidigum, a six- month old girl. The committee also said that there was no
information on the whereabouts of those abducted as at the time of compiling
its report. It also disclosed that four people lost their lives, three died
from gunshot injuries, the fourth victim was burnt to death, while five other
victims were hospitalised. The committee noted that more than 300 households,
eight vehicles, numerous motorcycles and bicycles were burnt, while three
vehicles and bicycles were stolen.
It also said that because the attack occurred at night, it was
impossible to ascertain the number of attackers. However, it was observed that
they came on motorcycles and bicycles carrying guns and locally made weapons
and majority of them were teenagers. The committee recommended that efforts be
made to rescue the abducted victims. The committee comprised of Aliyu Mamman
Kachalla as Chairman, Mrs. Adama Badawi-Secretary, while Habib Yusuf, Engr Baba
Isa, Ibrahim Audu Miringa, Dr Hanna Adama Biu, and Usman Buratai are members.
It would be recalled that Governor Shettima set up the committee, following
reports in the media that more girls were abducted by Boko Haram in Borno