Izge death toll rises to 133 as NEMA dispatches rescue team

The death toll from Saturday’s attack by suspected members of the Boko Haram in Izge village of Gwoza LGA of Borno State has risen to 133, locals and security sources said yesterday.

It was gathered that by yesterday, 133 people had been buried while the village which has a population of over 10,000 was deserted.

There are also fears that the death toll may rise as search operation in the surrounding bushes by the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations commenced.

“Many people escaped to the bushes with gunshots. Many elderly people died because of fear and exhaustion. For now, we have buried 133,” a senior Gwoza LG official said.

A source close to Governor Kashim Shettima said arrangements have been concluded for the governor’s visit to the troubled village today. Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said a search and rescue team has been dispatched to the state to trace the people forced into exile by the insurgents. A press statement by the North-east information officer of the agency, Abdulkadir Ibrahim said in response to the rising tide of attacks around border communities in the North East, Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi had dispatched the Director Search and Rescue of the Agency, Air Commodore Charles Otegbabe with additional staff from the Abuja head office to complement the efforts of the officials of the North-east zonal office to provide relief assistance to displaced persons.