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Governor Babagana Zulum, accused the military of leaving the people at the mercy of the insurgents.
“We have to be brutal in telling the truth. I am pushed to the wall to say the truth. Since I was inaugurated as Governor of Borno State, Boko Haram have attacked Auno six times.
“Another thing is that the military has withdrawn from Auno town. I am not undermining the capacity of the military but we have made repeated appeal for the military to establish their unit in Auno.
“They are here but as soon as it is 5 pm, they close the gate and lock the people and go back to Maiduguri. This is not right,” Gov. Zulum said
victims were commuters returning to Maiduguri, but they were shut out from entering the city at Aoun by soldiers manning the gate at this point.
About 300 vehicles were shut out because they all failed to beat the 4pm curfew deadline.
Among the vehicles so trapped by the curfew was also a petrol tanker belonging to the military.
It turned out to be the source of agonising death by some of the estimated 30 people, with nine burnt to death.
Boko Haram reportedly set the truck on fire, causing an inferno that spread to 18 vehicles, burning the occupants to death.
Dozens of women and children were also abducted.
More than 300 stranded stretched from Auno, Banishaik, Kukareta and Ngamdu.
Abdulrahman Gimba, a resident in Auno told newsmen that no military was present at the time the insurgents attacked the commuters blocked from gaining access to Maiduguri.
The soldiers usually lock up the gate at 4pm, using barricades and leaving everybody to his fate. They will then move away with all their vehicles to a safer place.
Bana Bunu, another resident said no permanent security was attached to Auno village, noting that they usually work on short shift, which is morning till in the evening where they will pack their things and go away.
Bunu said he had to flee into the bush amidst sporadic gunshot fired at them before he survived the attack.
“Many have died while dozens were still battling with various injuries as a result of stray bullets.
Ibrahim Malam, a commuter attributed the cause of the wild fire which razed 18 vehicles and killed at least nine persons to the military tanker that was prevented from passing through the checkpoint.
Malam said two soldiers were also killed when the petrol tanker loaded with PMS was set ablaze.
“It was unfortunate to note that it was the military petrol tanker that led to the death of the innocent
