According to information obtained by Leadership, no fewer than 550
soldiers fled to Maiduguri from Bama as they could no longer withstand
the fire-power of Boko Haram men. Nigerian soldiers run?
Scores were killed in Bama town while the heavy battle with Boko Haram and Nigerian soldiers lasted. In the wee hours of Monday, terrorists riding on several trucks led by armoured tanks stormed the town located about 50km north of Gwoza town.
But some military sources claimed the affected soldiers did not flee
Bama alongside civilians because they were overwhelmed by the
insurgents, but were asked to retreat into Maiduguri to avoid casualty
during the planned air raids on Bama.
Military sources who spoke to journalists in Maiduguri said the soldiers were able to kill about 70 of the terrorists and injure about 30 others.
An official of the State Security Service who spoke off the record confirmed the incident, even as he said more troops were being sent to Bama to beef up security presence.
A local security official, Muhammed Gava, told Leadership on phone that the insurgents came from the Banki town and heading for Bama when they encountered soldiers and began exchange of fire before they later invaded the town.
“We heard that there are many casualties on both sides, but we cannot say the number or who had suffered more damage between the troops and the terrorists,” said Mr Gava. “There are rumours that the soldiers were able to repel the attack in the first place, and many Boko Haram terrorists were killed and about 31 of them arrested alive. But the insurgents later mobilized and returned to Bama, and they are currently engaging the soldiers in Bama. Most of the residents had been on the run from through Konduga to Maiduguri.”
Gava added that the terrorists were actually planning to attack Maiduguri town after finishing with Bama town, which is about 100km away.
The situation in Bama had forced most residents to flee into Maiduguri, even as some said they were advised by soldiers to leave the town because the engagement with the insurgents might involve air strike as well.
A fleeing resident of Bama, Mohammed Bunu Ahmed, told journalists at Bama motor park that “there was an attempt by the Boko Haram people to enter and capture Bama as they did in Gwoza some weeks back, but thank God for the efforts of the soldiers stationed near the mobile police unit who were able to repel them”.
“The situation had actually scared many of our people and even forced some of them to run to Maiduguri town for safety,” he said.
We are repelling terrorists in Bama – DHQ
The Defence Headquarters last night claimed the terrorists are being repelled from Bama and that the casualty situation cannot be given for now. This was made known through Tweet @DefenceInfoNG: #Bama attack is being repelled. We cannot state casualty situation/figures now. Everything necessary will be done to contain the Terrorists.
Sustained Boko Haram attacks in Borno State have reportedly forced thousands of people from their homes, swamping towns in the north of Cameroon on Sunday.
But a police officer in the area has a different story to tell. He told AFP that, "We’ve been flooded here in Mora by Cameroonians and Nigerians fleeing Boko Haram.
Military sources who spoke to journalists in Maiduguri said the soldiers were able to kill about 70 of the terrorists and injure about 30 others.
An official of the State Security Service who spoke off the record confirmed the incident, even as he said more troops were being sent to Bama to beef up security presence.
A local security official, Muhammed Gava, told Leadership on phone that the insurgents came from the Banki town and heading for Bama when they encountered soldiers and began exchange of fire before they later invaded the town.
“We heard that there are many casualties on both sides, but we cannot say the number or who had suffered more damage between the troops and the terrorists,” said Mr Gava. “There are rumours that the soldiers were able to repel the attack in the first place, and many Boko Haram terrorists were killed and about 31 of them arrested alive. But the insurgents later mobilized and returned to Bama, and they are currently engaging the soldiers in Bama. Most of the residents had been on the run from through Konduga to Maiduguri.”
Gava added that the terrorists were actually planning to attack Maiduguri town after finishing with Bama town, which is about 100km away.
The situation in Bama had forced most residents to flee into Maiduguri, even as some said they were advised by soldiers to leave the town because the engagement with the insurgents might involve air strike as well.
A fleeing resident of Bama, Mohammed Bunu Ahmed, told journalists at Bama motor park that “there was an attempt by the Boko Haram people to enter and capture Bama as they did in Gwoza some weeks back, but thank God for the efforts of the soldiers stationed near the mobile police unit who were able to repel them”.
“The situation had actually scared many of our people and even forced some of them to run to Maiduguri town for safety,” he said.
We are repelling terrorists in Bama – DHQ
The Defence Headquarters last night claimed the terrorists are being repelled from Bama and that the casualty situation cannot be given for now. This was made known through Tweet @DefenceInfoNG: #Bama attack is being repelled. We cannot state casualty situation/figures now. Everything necessary will be done to contain the Terrorists.
Sustained Boko Haram attacks in Borno State have reportedly forced thousands of people from their homes, swamping towns in the north of Cameroon on Sunday.
But a police officer in the area has a different story to tell. He told AFP that, "We’ve been flooded here in Mora by Cameroonians and Nigerians fleeing Boko Haram.
“The day before yesterday (Saturday), there were already more than 10,000 people in Mora. Not a day goes by without more people coming.”
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