Many people have been stranded
since Sunday when suspected Boko Haram insurgents launched attacks on
communities along Damaturu-Maiduguri road.
Damaturu is Yobe state capital,
and Maiduguri, Borno state capital. The distance between both towns is about
130 kilometres, and there are a number of villages along the axis.
A Maiduguri resident who had gone
to Damaturu said on Monday that the road had been shut since Sunday
morning and that many people have been unable to return to their stations.
“We were supposed to return to
Maiduguri but we’ve been stranded here in Damaturu, because no vehicle is
allowed to use that road now,” the source said.
“In fact, the time we left
Maiduguri for Damaturu, we could feel the presence of the insurgents as we
heard that some motorists have been earlier attacked. Although the military has
marched into this area, we believe hundreds of the insurgents are still within
the bushy villages along this axis, hiding.”
Another source in Damaturu said
transport workers in the areas affected have moved their vehicles from the park
for fear of attacks.
“The insurgents have been
launching fresh attacks these days, and we are worried,” he said.
“Within the town, we are careful
of how and where we move to. It appears as if the insurgents have infiltrated
the major towns.”
There was also an exchange of
fire on Monday between the army and the insurgents in Jakana village in Konduga
local government area of Borno state. Jakana is one of the communities along
Damaturu-Maiduguri axis.
Sagir Musa, army’s spokesperson,
was not available to comment on the matter.
Soldiers deployed in the area,
however, said things would be brought under control.
“The troops are pushing them off
to the bush, and hopefully the road should be reopened later today,” one of the
soldiers said.
On Thursday, the insurgents
attacked Michika, a town in Adamawa state.
On Christmas eve, a faction of
Boko Haram affiliated to the Islamic State, also killed 11 Christian captives
in Borno, saying the action was taken to avenge the deaths of Abu Bakr
al-Baghdadi, IS’ late leader and Abul-Hasan Al-Muhajir, its spokesman, who were
killed in Syria in October.
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