17 people were killed 9n in Guzamala-Abbari village in Guzamala Local Government Area (LGA) in Borno State by suspected members of the terrorist group, Boko Haram.

This was disclosed by the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, in his tribute to the families of the victims.

According to him, he said 12 bodies have been recovered and given a mass burial according to Islamic rites in Monguno.

He added that five other bodies recovered in a nearby settlement in Nganzai LGA were also buried in Gajiram town.

“I am shocked over the massacre of an unspecified number of my people in Guzamala-Abbari and some parts of Nganzai LGA by the terrorists.

“So far, 12 dead bodies of Guzamala indigenes were recovered in Guzamala-Abbari village, while five other bodies of Nganzai indigenes were recovered in a nearby village in Nganzai Local Government Area during search and rescue operations on Sunday.

“I commiserate with the families of the victims and wish the injured a quick recovery. May Allah (God) grant Aljannatul Firdaus to the souls of the deceased and restore peace in our fatherland.

“As I speak, the search and rescue mission is ongoing as many people are still missing,” he said.

Gudumbali, the headquarters of Guzamala LGA, has for many years been deserted and remains under the control of Boko Haram terrorists.

The Speaker has continually advocated for the federal government and the military to liberate the area and reconstitute civil authority in Guzamala, especially the council’s headquarters.

The village where the incident occurred is located about 15 kilometres from the newly resettled Mairari village in Guzamala LGA.