By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC Borno South) has commended the swift reaction of troops of North East ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ under the new Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar and local hunters/vigilantes for repelling Boko Haram attack on Warabe village in Gwoza local government area which led to the killing of five terrorists.

The incident also led to the recovery of two AK47 rifles with ammunition, which were handed over to the troops on Friday.

Unfortunately, a community member who is mentally unstable lost his life during exchange of gunfire between the attackers and the hunters.

Recalled that on several occasions, Boko Haram/ISWAP have made attempts to infiltrate Warabe, a newly resettled community after liberation, but with resilient efforts of hunters led by their Chairman, Mallam Saleh Warabe repelled all the attacks with support from the security agencies.

Narrating the information to our Correspondent, the Chairman of Hunters said, “the armed insurgents invaded Warabe at about 6am on Friday, but they were overwhelmed by my team of hunters, leaving five of the terrorists dead, with recovery of arms and ammunition that were later handed over to troops who made a swift entrance into the community”.

Ndume who was the former Chairman Senate Committee on Army in his reaction, described the situation as encouraging, because, many people in the affected communities and local hunters/vigilantes are now more resilient and ready to defend themselves against renewed Boko Haram atrocities.

He cited an instances with hunters and men of the Civilian Joint Task Force in Izge community of Gwoza who team up with troops and repelled a recent Boko Haram attack, killing many of the terrorists with recovery of arms and ammunition.

Ndume said, if other community hunters and vigilantes would emulate such a pragmatic and resilience, the jobs of the military and other security agencies would be made easier towards the fight against terrorism.

He therefore enjoined the federal government and the security agencies to provide arms and ammunition to local hunters and vigilantes who are ready to defend themselves at all times.

“I am happy to inform you that fiver Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised by hunters in Warabe this morning. Let me commend the hunters and swift deployment of troops of ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ to the scene which has boosted the moral of the people in the community.

“I was also informed that two AK47 rifles and ammunition belonging to the terrorists were recovered and handed over to the troops. Let me reiterate my appeal to the federal government to provide arms and ammunition to local hunters/ vigilantes who are now more resilient and ready to defend themselves and their communities”. He stated.

Senator Ndume also prayed God to grant Aljanatul Firdaus to the soul of the mentally unstable community member who died during the exchange of gunfire.