Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

A soldier was on Wednesday gunned down by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect, who laid an ambush on a major highway in the state as Nigerian troops moved from Maiduguri to Damboa.

This occurred just as Boko Haram gunmen stormed Pelachiroma, another Borno town, killing three persons in a mindless shooting orgy, and burning down many houses.

In the first incident, a military source who does not want to be quoted as he is not authourised to speak said the insurgents may have laid in ambush for the troops in order to take a pound of flesh on the soldiers who successful repelled and killed over 25 of their members during an attempt to overrun Damboa, last Sunday.

It was gathered that on sighting the troops, the terrorists opened fire and even though an exchange of gunfire ensued, it is not clear whether there were casualties on the side of the insurgents.

“Our troops were on their way to Damboa this morning (Wednesday) when the insurgents ambushed them. We lost one soldier,” the source said.

In the other encounter, members of the sect attacked Pelachiroma, in Hawul local government area of Borno State, killing three persons and setting, houses, including churches, ablaze.

A resident of the area, Ignatius Musa, lamented that the insurgents stormed the village and went berserk, shooting whatever was in sight.

Pelachiroma is few kilometres from Azur Forest where eight people were killed on Friday by the insurgents.

The caretaker chairman of Hawul local government area, Andrew Malgwi, who confirmed the attack said many houses, including churches, were also destroyed in the attack.