Lastest: Nigerian Soldiers Run, As BokoHaram Approaches Maiduguri
continue their attacks in Northern Nigeria,
towards Maiduguri, it seems Nigerian soldiers
are nearing the giving up stage, with soldiers
deserting and thousands of innocent Nigerians
in the areas fleeing the towns and villages.
At night, a resident said he was awake and
heard gun shots from a distance. "Nobody can
sleep anymore," the resident of Maiduguri
township, who wanted to remain
anonymous, confirmed.
Gwoza, Bama, Gulak, Michika, Duhu, Shuwa,
Kirshinga captured by insurgents
The terrorists have been capturing new cities
on an almost daily basis. They arrive in
hijacked army vehicles, fight off the Nigerian
troops and terrorise the residents.
Terrorists are better equipped —Military
The morale of the government troops is
very low and the terrorists are better
equipped. Military officers said: "We
cannot do anything against Boko Haram,
because most of the Boko Haram are
using modern automatic weapons and the
military is using AK47s."
Senator Ahmed Zanna has also cried out:
"Boko Haram are committing all kinds of
atrocities killing and raping. At the same
time they are taking young girls in
batches and the city is littered with dead
bodies."
Bama is 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) from
Maiduguri and fell to the Islamists four days
ago. Zanna recounts how the soldiers who
were supposed to defend Bama, refused to
advance any further, noting, "They were ill
equipped and they just stayed in Kondudga."
Sect gunning for Maiduguri
Maiduguri would be a major win for Boko
Haram in their hope of creating an Islamist-
ruled state. "Even a brief capture of Borno's
capital, will be a significant symbolic victory
for Boko Haram," said Ryan Cummings, a
South African security expert, who is also a
member of the Nigerian Security Networks.
Capturing Maiduguri would give Boko Haram a
very strong boost, believes the Nigerian
expert Nnamdi Obasi of the International
Crisis Group, added. With Maiduguri, the
Islamists would not only control a major city
but also an international airport.
According to Vanguard, a reporter in Mubi,
Adamawa State, said the town can also fall
prey to Boko Haram.
"We all live in fear," explained a resident.
"Because soldiers come into our houses, take
off their uniforms and put on civilian clothes.
So if the military is already fleeing the fight,
we don't stand a chance."
Over 10,000 flee the fighting
Thousands of people have fled the fighting. In
Yola, the capital of Adamawa State, residents
have taken in those who had to leave their
homes. Ten people now live in one room and
a woman who goes by the name of Aisha
explained their fate: "There is nobody left in
our town. Everyone has left, because the
terrorists came into our town and they killed
the people. We are desperate for help."
In Maiduguri, residents are now also preparing
to leave. "The people are scared. Many have
already left the city," said a woman who chose
to remain anonymous. " We who remain here,
hope that God will help us."
The residents have armed themselves with
sticks. They no longer believe that the army
will defend them. Thousands of young men
have now gathered in Maiduguri and are
demanding that the government recognize
them as local defence groups, so that they can
officially support the soldiers.
"There are soldiers in the city, but they are
not well-armed," explained a resident who had
trouble sleeping. Even the Senator Ahmed
Zanna is unsure whether the army can defend
Maiduguri: "If Bama with an army of 1,000 can
fall within three to five hours, then there is
every likelihood that these people will
advance towards Maiduguri."
Bama under government control —Official
In the meantime, official sources say that
Bama is once again under government control
and that Maiduguri is safe for now.
Nevertheless, the residents remain skeptical.
So, Nigeria is now a state where people call on
God for a physical war? Oh dear, what a sorry
state!
.
0 Comments: