BEVERLY HILLS, September 09, (THEWILL) – Boko Haram Insurgents have reportedly invaded Gudumbali, the headquarters of Guzamala Local Government Area in Northern Borno State after sacking and occupying a military base.
At least eight civilians were believed to have been killed, according to one local civilian militia member. The attack is the latest against troops in recent weeks and comes as the government encourages the return of displaced people from the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, to Guzamala.
An official of Guzamala local government area, of which Gudumbali is the headquarters, told AFP: “It is true Boko Haram have taken over Gudumbali after pushing troops out of the military facility in the town.
“They are in full control of the town and the military facility,” the official said, speaking from Maiduguri on anonymity for fear of government sanction.
A military source in Maiduguri added: “The terrorists attacked the base at about 7:50 pm (1850 GMT) and engaged soldiers in an intense battle that continued until early Saturday when troops were forced to withdraw.”
The source, who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said he had no information about casualties but local civilian militia member Musa Ari said: “Most civilians were spared because the attack was targeted at the military base.
“So far eight civilians who were errand boys for troops were believed to have been killed in the attack.”
Ari said soldiers and residents fled Gudumbali to Damasak, some 80 kilometres (50 miles) away, on the border with Niger while others escaped south towards Gajiram, where nine soldiers were killed in a similar attack in June.
The insurgents, in the last one month, have carried out attacks on military formations around northern Borno. The latest resulted in the killing of some soldiers in Zari village and also in Guzamala local government.
The spokesperson of defence headquarters, Brigadier General John Agim, has said he had no knowledge of the incident while efforts to reach the Operation Lafiya Dole spokesperson, Colonel Clement Nwachukwu were abortive.
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