BREAKING: Boko Haram kills 3 policemen, many travellers in Auno during lockdown

Three policemen and scores of travellers were on Friday afternoon ambushed and killed at Auno by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

The attack is coming at a time many residents of Maiduguri were indoors and observing the lockdown orders imposed by the Borno State Government to curtail the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

Witnesses in Auno said the attackers, about dozens of them, came out around 3.p.m and opened fire on the travellers, killing the three policemen on the spot.

Some travellers who were on their way to Maiduguri to observe the 3 days prayer of the Late Galadima of Dikwa, Modu Sheriff, who died on Thursday morning following a fire incident at his home, were also among the victims.

One of the travellers who manage to escape the ambush, spoke to Daily Correspondents on phone to confirm the attack.

“There’s this incident that happened today, Friday. An attack by Boko Haram in Auno, just 20 kilometer to maiduguri, which led to killing of 3 police officers and other countless number of civilians on their way to Maiduguri for the 3 days prayer of late Galadima Modu Sheriff,” he said.

Auno is a village that is 24km away from the Maiduguri city centre.

On February 9, at least 20 persons, mostly travellers, who were stranded outside the military-controlled entrance gate of Maiduguri were killed by Boko Haram insurgents, sparking outrage by Nigerians.

The insurgents also reportedly abducted many travellers mostly women after setting several vehicles ablaze.

The police is yet to speak on this latest attack.