Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

Only few hours after declaring a ceasefire, suspected members of the Boko Haram sect attacked and wrecked havoc on two communities in Borno State, killing at least nine people.

It was learnt that about 20 Boko Haram fighters on Friday evening stormed Maikadiri in Abadam local government, in two Hilux vehicles, shooting into the homes of residents.

In the attack on Maikadiri, the insurgents killed at least one person, while a second attack on Zhur in Hawul local government Area on Saturday morning left seven people dead.

Kashim Abba, a member of the local vigilante group said that the person killed In Maikadiri was the father of the former speaker of Borno State parliament, Goni Ali Modu

The attacks seem to confirm feats among many Nigerians about the seriousness of the militant group in agreeing to a ceasefire which the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, announced on Friday.

Nigeria had in the past announced a similar agreement, which turned out to be with the wrong representatives of the sect.

A cross section of Nigerians had observed that if any serious ceasefire deal would be reached with terrorists, it would require the presence of the leader of the group, Abubakar Shekau, or any other leader of the movement at the negotiating table.

Part of the sad agreement is to ensure the freedom of over 200 Chibok girls, who were abducted in April.

Human rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana, said, “Whereas the authorities of the Armed Forces have already announced a ceasefire, we are yet to hear from the Boko Haram Sect. So, we hope it is not a unilateral ceasefire.”

The leader of BringBackOurGirls campaign team, Oby Ezekwesili, expressed hope that the ceasefire would be sustained.

She said in her Tweet, “Like many of you, I simply cannot afford another heart shattering episode and so we are praying that what we are all reading is true.”