Egypt strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack that targeted Mafa village in Nigeria’s northeastern Yobe State, leaving scores of people dead or injured.
The Foreign Ministry said in a press release today that Egypt offered its sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the government and people of Nigeria, wishing a speedy recovery to all the injured.
Egypt reaffirmed its full solidarity and support to Nigeria’s efforts to combat all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism, and to achieve security and stability.
At least 81 people were reportedly killed, and several others injured in an attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.
“Around 150 suspected Boko Haram terrorists armed with rifles and RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades) attacked Mafa ward on more than 50 motorcycles,” Reuters quoted Dungus Abdulkarim, a police spokesman in Yobe State where the village is located, as saying.
“They killed many people and burned several shops and houses. We are yet to ascertain the actual number of those killed in the attack”.
Abdulkarim said the attack was apparent retaliation for the killing of two suspected Boko Haram terrorists by local vigilantes.
Yobe is one of three states on the front line of a 15-year insurgency by Boko Haram and other hardline groups which has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced more than 2 million. The armed groups have strengthened their position by working with gangs of criminals known as “bandits”, who raid villages, kill and abduct residents, and burn homes after looting them.
