At least 50 charred bodies have been discovered in Gamboru Ngala, a settlement on the Nigeria-Cameroon border some 200km from Maiduguri, provincial capital of the restive Borno State, days after suspected Boko Haram militants invaded the town and killed over 200 people.
"People were going to the Gamboru main market for the first time since the attack; what we found was scary," local resident Hassan al-Khaeru told Anadolu Agency by phone from Maiduguri.
"No fewer than 50 charred bodies, many of them burnt beyond recognition, were found in different locked shops," he said.
Al-Khaeru said the victims appeared to have locked themselves in their shops in the market in an effort to escape from the invading militants.
"But apparently the terrorists threw explosives and petrol bombs at the shops and that led to these deaths," he added.
He went on to note that victims included non-Nigerians who had come to trade their wares at the popular market, which is frequented by Cameroonian, Chadian and Nigerian nationals.
Gamboru is a boisterous border town between Nigeria and Cameroon.
A rescue worker confirmed the incident.
"Over 50 burnt bodies were recovered on Wednesday in Gamboru market," he told AA, requesting anonymity as he is not authorized to speak to the media.
He said Gamboru was a big town, adding: "An attack on such a place means heavy casualties."
Senator Ahmed Zannah confirmed the massacre to AA on Wednesday, saying that between 200 and 300 people had been killed.
AA's attempts to speak with defense spokesman Chris Olukolade for comment were unsuccessful.
By Rafiu Ajakaye
englishnews@aa.com.tr
