A family in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State has been thrown into grief after a newborn baby girl reportedly suffocated during a Boko Haram attack on her community.
The baby, who was only 12 hours old, died as residents fled for safety when suspected Boko Haram fighters attacked Bambatsu and Ngadarma villages in Mbalala Ward on Thursday evening.
Sources said the baby’s mother had given birth just 12 hours earlier and was still too weak to escape when the attackers stormed the communities.
She reportedly hid inside a toilet to save her life, while the infant was left unattended during the chaos and later died.
The attackers, believed to be the same group behind the recent assault on Mussa Primary and Secondary Schools in Askira-Uba Local Government Area, reportedly entered Bambatsu and Ngadarma at about 7 p.m. before moving towards nearby Mussa community.
The attacks also left six other people dead. Five were killed in Bambatsu, while one person died in Ngadarma. Several houses were burnt, and food supplies and livestock were destroyed.
A resident, Mr. Paul Mauntayhaga, mourned the victims, especially the newborn.
“In the attack that happened yesterday in Bambatsu, we lost five people, and in Ngadarma, we lost one person,” he said.
“Sadly, Sangula Happy’s wife gave birth to a baby girl just 12 hours before the attack, but the newborn baby was lost due to fear, confusion and lack of immediate assistance and treatment as everyone was running for their lives.
“The mother is still very weak and heartbroken after losing her daughter. This is the information that reached me.”
Mauntayhaga said the victims were buried on Friday in line with their religious beliefs.
