About two thousand people
have reportedly been displaced in Geidam, Yobe state, after Boko Haram
insurgents took hold of the town.
According to Daily Trust, the insurgents who belong to
the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction of Boko Haram,
have occupied the town since Friday.
Upon entry into the town on Friday, the insurgents asked
residents to join the sect. They shared pamphlets containing their rules and
ideology.
The development caused residents to flee to Yunusari LGA and Damaturu, Yobe capital, for safety.
The insurgents who engaged the military in a gun duel for
more than 24 hours were said to have invaded Geidam with more than 20 gun
trucks.
The newspaper said the insurgents retreated after initial
airstrikes by the air force but have returned to destroy and occupy the town.
Apart from looting shops, the insurgents cut off
communication network in the town. An unspecified number of people have been
reportedly killed.
Ali Kolo Geidam, chairman of the LGA, was quoted as saying
he has not been able to gain entry into the town in the past two days.
According to him, two people including a teacher were killed
on Sunday morning.
“I don’t know who is presently in control because I couldn’t
access the town for the past two days, but based on the information I received,
the insurgents overran the military,” the chairman said.
“I visited some of the injured victims here in Damaturu
Specialist Hospital and I sympathised with their condition.”
Rawana Usman, a witness, said the insurgents were targeting
Christians and killing anyone who is educated.
“They were going round houses targeting Christians, NGO
workers and those that are educated in the western schools,” Usman was quoted
as saying.
“When I heard of the selective killings, I couldn’t resist,
I left abruptly.
“I can say that there were soldiers engaging them. They have
been doing their best to push out the terrorists, but I can tell you that these
boys were moving normal in the town up to the time I left.”
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