At least 20 persons were reportedly killed on Sunday afternoon when suspected Boko Haram insurgents struck Kamuyya village in Biu local government area of Borno state.

The Sunday attack, according to residents, was carried out by dozens of the members of the outlawed sect who invaded the village with assorted rifles and explosives in an operation that lasted over two hours.

Residents who spoke to journalists in Maiduguri on phone said some insurgents had visited the town about two months ago and asked the village head to mobilize his subjects to contribute the sum of N250, 000 for them in order to execute “God’s work.”

The villagers said they were only able to gather N70, 000 from their meagre resources as most of them are peasant farmers and petty traders and they handed over the amount to the insurgents.

The terrorist reportedly collected the money and told the villagers that they would return for the balance, it was gathered.

“Actually when they issued such threat, we all took it lightly as we are all relaxed and nobody bothered to make any extra effort to put in the amount they requested. Maybe that was what ignited this bloody attack because we were unable to meet their demand,” said one resident who identified himself as Bukar Umar.

He expressed regret that while the attack lasted, no help came from security personnel and that the invaders snatched several vehicles and loaded them with bags of assorted foodstuffs before fleeing the area.

Another resident, who spoke anonymously, claimed that over 100 houses were burnt down by the attackers and that several persons were wounded.

Surviving residents who escaped the onslaught are now taking refuge in other villages and surrounding bushes having lost everything.