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As confusion continues to reign over the status of
ceasefire agreement between the federal government
and the Boko Haram sect, there is a raging battle
between the military and suspected members of the
terrorist organisation for the control of the strategic
town of Mubi, Adamawa State.
According to a military source, heavy exchange of fire
was ongoing at the time of this report on Wednesday
as the security forces battled to retake some of
sections of the town, including the 234 Battalion
Army headquarters reportedly captured earlier in the
afternoon by the terrorists.
It was reported that the military guarding the
barracks, after some feeble resistance, fled the scene
when more militants arrived in the area with heavy
firepower.
Meanwhile, all efforts to get both the Director of
Defence Information (DDI), Maj-Gen. Chris
Olukolade, and Director of Army Public Relations
(DAPR), Brig-Gen. Olajide Laleye, to either confirm or
comment on the matter proved abortive as text
messages were not replied.
However, a senior military personnel who spoke with
THISDAY has described the actions of the soldiers as
a shameful act of cowardice deserving punishment.
The source disclosed that the military authorities
had since sent a reinforcement to flush out the
insurgents.
The source said: “This acts of indiscipline and
cowardice is quite unfortunate and shameful when
the troops are well equipped with improved welfare.
“Troops from other places are being deployed to
confront the marauders.”
Fortunately, the source said, the reinforcement had
helped to stop the terrorists advance and would
ultimately reverse the losses.
Also, several residents of Uba town in Adamawa State
were on Wednesday reportedly killed by Boko Haram
insurgents as many other residents fled to
neighbouring towns.
A security source who confirmed the attack in Uba
town said after the insurgents had an encounter
with the Nigerian troops in a fierce battle, they split
into groups as some of them headed to Uba and
some others went towards Mubi.
About noon, there was serious battle going on
between the Nigerian troops and the insurgents in
Mubi, and according to the source, the insurgents
were fighting hard to overrun the military barracks
in Mubi.
He said the development had caused a
pandemonium in the affected areas: adding
“Presently there are gunshots and bombardment close
to the military barracks in Mubi. Mubi has now
become a ghost of its former self, people in hundreds
are fleeing for their lives.”
However, another source in Mubi said it was the
soldiers who were shooting into the air to scare away
insurgents who were believed to have sneaked into
Mubi town.
A source from Uba, Ahmadu Bello, said: “We are in
serious trouble, these boys (Boko Haram) have taken
our towns, splitting in groups with some advancing
towards Mararraban Mubi and Vintim the home
town of Chief of Defense Staff, Alex Badeh, giving
Nigerian troops a hot fight as soldiers retreated back
to Mubi.
“As I am talking to you now, residents are
scampering for their lives for fear of imminent attack
and uncertainty.
“While pursuing the soldiers, the insurgents shot
sporadically on innocent residents, during which five
persons were instantly killed by the insurgents.
“The town is now deserted, people have all fled into
nearby bushes and hilltops.We have seen soldiers in
their vehicles retreating,” he said.
Another source said the Boko Haram insurgents over-
ran Madagali down to Bazza. “They are having
field day, even yesterday I sneaked into Michika
town to evacuate my aged mother, but surprisingly
only insurgents could be seenmoving around, no
presence of soldiers,” the some said.
Also, a fleeing resident from Uba, who identified
himself as Mallam Yakuba said the insurgents
overran the area at the early hours of yesterday in
their hundreds and started shooting sporadically at
the residents, resulting in the death of undisclosed
numbers of people.
He said he gathered that the insurgents split
themselves into smaller groups, “some of them came
to Uba town, while others advanced toward
Mararaban Mubi , through Vintim village to Dumo,
close to the Republic of Cameroun.”
Another fleeing resident from Uba, Mr. Gajere
Ambrose, said several people might have been killed
during the shooting spree that lasted for almost two
hours in Uba.
Confirming the incident, the state governor, Bala
James Ngillari, has asked the people of the state,
particularly those in the affected areas to remain
calm as security agents are on the top of the
situation.
The governor made the disclosure through his Press
Director, Mr. P P Elisha, saying that the development
was unfortunate while empathising with the people
affected.
He said, “His Excellency, has met with security chiefs
in the state and has made frantic efforts to bring the
situation under control.
“People should remain calm, security agents are on
the top of situation,’’ Elisha said.
THISDAYLIVE
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