Scores of insurgents were killed yesterday following their invasion of the university town of Mubi, Adamawa State.
Attempts by the insurgents to hit Vimtim, Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh’s village, were repelled by troops.
Another report late last night said Boko Haram insurgents may have captured the village.
But the military launched a counter offensive in Bazza to retake the town.
The Federal Government yesterday said Bama, Borno State’s second largest city had been retaken from the insurgents, who reportedly suffered heavy losses. Over 50 of their men were killed, it was learnt.
Gulak and Michika are other towns on which the insurgents have launched attacks.
Also yesterday, it was learnt that troops led by Gen. JS Zaruwa recaptured Bazza, one of the towns seized by Boko Haram insurgents.
A senior military source said troops retook Bazza after a fierce battle in which soldiers killed many Boko Haram militants.
Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri appealed for calm.
In a broadcast, Fintiri said he had got the Military High Command to ensure “immediate response to halt the incursions within the shortest possible time”.
He added: “I hereby call for calm in the affected areas and that no one should panic, raise false alarm and rumours capable of further throwing innocent people into confusion.
“I passionately appeal to all citizens in Mubi and surrounding villages to remain where they are and not move out as the military and security are there are on high alert and ready to defend the area.”
Vimtim is less than five kilometers to Mubi, the state’s second largest town.
The development has led to the relocation of the Emir of Mubi, Alhaji Abubakar Isa Ahmadu, and thousands of his subjects, under heavy security, to Yola, the state capital.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday confirmed that two officers and three soldiers were injured in the battle.
He said the injured five had been taken to a military facility which was undisclosed.
It was not specific whether Lt. Col. Adeboye Obasanjo, was one of the injured in the facility.
According to the Defence Headquarters, in a terse statement, the troops had a fierce battle with the insurgents in Mubi.
DHQ said: “Counter terrorism troops today carried out an attack on Insurgents in Mubi town, Adamawa State.
“In the fierce battle to root out the insurgents, scores of insurgents lost their lives while several others escaped with fatal gunshot wounds.
“Two officers and three soldiers who were wounded in the battle are currently receiving treatment in a military medical facility.”
Although the DHQ was silent on the identities of those injured, there were indications that Lt.-Col. Adeboye Obasanjo, former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s son, was one of those taken to the medical facility.
A military source said: “The insurgents were audacious in attacking Mubi and Vimtim but troops had bloody encounters with them.
“The aerial attacks of the insurgents’ camps and battle positions were still on as at 5pm. Troops will soon return normalcy to the town and its environs.
“We are already trying to secure Mubi and any moment from now, we will flush out the insurgents from the town.
“One thing I will want you to note is that the insurgents who were sacked in Bama by troops accounted for the attack on Mubi in what appeared to be sheer reprisals.”
Responding to a question, the source added: “We are talking of killing more than 80 to 100 insurgents.”
DHQ is said to have ordered urgent medical treatment for Obasanjo’s son and others injured in the battle.
“The initial plan is to stabilize them before moving them to military hospitals. If their condition is critical, they might be moved to referral hospitals in Abuja,” the source said, adding:
“We are cautious in managing this situation to prevent the media from creating the impression that an officer or a soldier is more important than the other. We are giving equal treatment to all those injured so far.
“Due to the nature of the ongoing operation, we will not disclose the actual hospital but certainly the family of those either wounded or killed will be communicated – in line with military ethics.”
It was learnt that before the bloody encounters, the insurgents had stormed Vimtim on Monday night. The military and other security agencies relocated the Emir of Mubi, Alhaji Abubakar Isa Ahmadu, to Yola.
“The Emir was smuggled out under heavy military security at about 11.30pm on Monday.
“As I am talking to you, many indigenes and residents of Mubi have moved out to Yola. In fact, the Girei Bridge is filled up with displaced residents fleeing from the insurgents,” a source said, pleading not to be named because he is not authorized to talk to the media.
Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri has also moved out his aged mother from Kirchinga, Fintiri to Yola.
“Fintiri was lucky to move out his mother (who is a Christian) before the insurgents overran his village last Saturday.
“If they had met the woman, it would have been a different story,” the source added.
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Before we hear that they don't know who boko Haram is that they are faceless but now they are out from hiding, why don't u catch them. I appreciate our soldiers . God will b with u all in Jesus name Amen
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