Some of the villagers said that the NAF authorities were informed on time about the attack, but they are still shocked that the insurgents were allowed to have their way while air force fighter jets hovered above them.

One of the residents said “We spotted the insurgents hours before they came into Korongilum, and immediately, we informed the nearest army battalion which is in Chibok. It appeared that the army would need help and they called the air force for air support. The insurgents were already in town, and when we saw air force jets we were happy. The insurgents carried on with the attacks and didn’t leave until after three hours. While they were at it, air force jets just kept hovering and not a shot was fired. The insurgents, right there under the hovering guns of the air force drove out unchallenged in a convoy of about 17 trucks.”

Another resident of the community said “At a point, we started asking ourselves if the jets were those of the air force or the insurgents, because how could the insurgents operate that freely? Are we saying the air force couldn’t see them moving in their large numbers? Please, we need help. We need to understand what’s happening.”