Thousands of residents in Nigeria’s northeast have fled their homes after troops failed to retake a major town seized by Boko Haram militants.
Thousands of fear-stricken residents in Nigeria’s northeast Adamawa state have fled after troops failed to retake a major town seized by Boko Haram militants.
Residents of Madagali, Gulak and Michika and nearby villages escaped on Friday and Saturday when a Boko Haram advance repelled a military offensive to retake Madagali, which has been in the hands of the militants since last month.
“All the residents of Madagali, Gulak and Michika have fled their homes to the mountains and Mubi town after soldiers retreated from Madagali where they made a failed attempt to push out the insurgents and the recapture the town,” said Bello Alaramma who was among those who made their way to Mubi, 76 kilometres away.
“Boko Haram are now in control of Gulak,” the headquarters of Madagali local government in Adamawa state, Alaramma said.
Defence headquarters spokesman Major General Chris Olukolade declined to comment on the Boko Haram seizure of more towns in the region.
Troops in retreat drove into Gulak firing shots in the air after they were overpowered by the militants in Madagali, 20 kilometres away, said resident Ayuba Daniel.
“Around 5:00pm (1600GMT) yesterday (Friday) we started seeing hordes of soldiers in vans, trucks and armoured cars driving through Gulak firing shots in the air and soon afterwards people from Madagali started trooping in telling us Boko Haram were on their way,” Daniel said.
“This forced us to flee to Mubi and nearby mountains,” he said.
Residents of Mubi said people from Michika, Gulak and Madagali now crowded the town.
“Mubi is now flooded with people from Michika, Madagali, Gulak, Uba and other villages, who have been trooping in since last night,” said resident Muhammad Maishanu.
“The influx is causing apprehension among people in Mubi who fear the influx would attract Boko Haram, who have attacked Mubi before,” he said.
Mubi, the commercial hub of the state, has experienced several attacks.
At least 40 people were killed in June when an explosion ripped through a soccer venue.
In October 2012 at least 40 college students were shot dead in attacks on their hostels.
Both attacks were blamed on Boko Haram.
