Boko Haram militants have attacked Bille village, in Askira/Uba LGA Borno state today, as many are feared dead, and several homes have been burned down. The militants stormed the Bille district at about 7:05 am Nigerian time on Monday.
They reportedly opened fire on the villagers indiscriminately. Villagers who fought back killed five Boko Haram members. Several villages lost their homes to the notorious group, who also burned and razed churches, as well as shops and other houses in the area.
A local vigilante, Yohana Musa, who spoke to our reporter by phone said, “the attackers were well armed with weapons of mass destruction, such as anti aircraft guns, and rocket propelled launchers, and other dangerous weapons.
The source noted that, "five of our (armed) members were killed, as well as over ten villagers. Several were injured. I am confused in fact. Right now, the village is on fire."
He added that two Nigeria Air Force fighter jets had arrived in Bille, and started an immediate bombardment of the militants. Fatalities and injuries stemming from that fire-fight are yet to surface with accurate numbers. But the situation is currently calm, as many villagers had fled for safety, the source said.
SaharaReporters has learned that some of the villagers fled to the bush and other nearby villages for their safety.