Troops from Chad and Niger have discovered what appears to be a mass grave outside Damasak,Borno State,which was liberated from the terror group Boko Haram last weekend.
No fewer than 70 bodies,some of them beheaded,were found dumped near a bridge outside the town .
The skeletal bodies were partially mummified by the dry desert atmosphere, witnesses said, suggesting that the killing had taken place some time ago.
Niger military sources said yesterday that they were awaiting the arrival of Nigerian authorities to take charge of the operation.
“Niger and Chad’s troops have discovered a mass grave at Damasak, which appears to contain the bodies of Boko Haram’s victims,” said one of the military sources, who asked not to be identified.
The dusty streets of Damasak were largely deserted following its liberation on Saturday, after many inhabitants had fled the terrorists’ four-month rule. Shops and businesses were looted and Boko Haram’s black and white insignia were scrawled on buildings around the town.
Nigeria announced on Thursday that scores of dead bodies had been found in a well in Bama, Borno State that was also recently reclaimed by Nigerian troops, from Boko Haram.
The authorities said the large number of bodies found in the well are apparently some of the hostages of the terrorists or those who resisted them.
An intelligence officer is reported to have confirmed that a cordon and search operation in the town is continuing with interrogation by troops.
Bama, the second largest Local Government Area in Borno, fell to Boko Haram on September 11, 2014.
Some residents, mostly women and children who tried to flee the area at the time were reported to have died of thirst and hunger as insurgents tightened their grip on the town.
The community was liberated from the group on Monday by Nigerian soldiers.
The skeletal bodies were partially mummified by the dry desert atmosphere, witnesses said, suggesting that the killing had taken place some time ago.
Niger military sources said yesterday that they were awaiting the arrival of Nigerian authorities to take charge of the operation.
“Niger and Chad’s troops have discovered a mass grave at Damasak, which appears to contain the bodies of Boko Haram’s victims,” said one of the military sources, who asked not to be identified.
The dusty streets of Damasak were largely deserted following its liberation on Saturday, after many inhabitants had fled the terrorists’ four-month rule. Shops and businesses were looted and Boko Haram’s black and white insignia were scrawled on buildings around the town.
The authorities said the large number of bodies found in the well are apparently some of the hostages of the terrorists or those who resisted them.
An intelligence officer is reported to have confirmed that a cordon and search operation in the town is continuing with interrogation by troops.
Bama, the second largest Local Government Area in Borno, fell to Boko Haram on September 11, 2014.
Some residents, mostly women and children who tried to flee the area at the time were reported to have died of thirst and hunger as insurgents tightened their grip on the town.
The community was liberated from the group on Monday by Nigerian soldiers.
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