 |
| Boko Haram expands territory, takes over Gulak, Four Other Towns in Adamawa – Reports |
The insurgent group, Boko Haram, has expanded its territory by taking over Gulak, a town in Adamawa, an official has said. The insurgents had earlier taken over Gwoza, Bama, and some other parts of neighbouring Borno State.
The Secretary to the Adamawa State Government , Liman Tukur, confirmed that the insurgents had taken over Gulak, the headquarters of Madagali Local Government Area of the State. Mr. Tukur stated this in a statement he signed and made available to journalists in Yola on Saturday.
The statement said the insurgents had killed and displaced many people in the town during their attacks.
THE STATEMENT:
“It has come to the attention of the Adamawa State Government that insurgents are now in Gulak, the headquarters of Madagali Local Government Area and had killed and displaced scores of people.
“On behalf of the people and government of Adamawa, his Excellency deeply sympathises with the people of Gulak and other surrounding villages and towns whose areas had been overran by insurgents.
“The concomitant effects of the insurgency like displacement of whole villages and towns create multitudes of internally displaced persons whose management and welfare, the government is left to bear,” the official said.
Mr. Tukur, a professor, said the Adamawa Government would do as much as possible to assist the displaced persons.
He said the State Emergency Management Agency in conjunction with the National Emergency Agency, NEMA, had been directed to hasten assistance to the displaced persons.
Meanwhile, Saharareporters in their reports on the attacks has stated that Madagali, Shuwa, Michika, Gulak and Baza towns in Adamawa State have fallen to Boko Haram insurgents.
The report claims that Boko Haram fighters overran the towns on Monday evening in their droves, chanting "Allahu Akbar", and are currently advancing to Michika in a similar style to how they captured the area in August 2014.
Residents of Michika and Baza have all fled their homes, just as there is serious panic in Mubi, the hometown of Jibrilla Bindow, Governor of the state, and Alex Badeh, the late former Chief of Defence Staff.
However, Brigadier General Muhammad Bello of the 23 brigade in Yola told reporters that troops of the 28 battalion were already engaging the terrorists in Shuwa town, Madagali Local Government area.
The Nigerian military had on Friday appealed for cooperation and understanding from Nigerians as the insurgents activities worsened despite the state of emergency imposed on Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe since May last year.
“While welcoming all the concerns shown by Nigerians and a section of the international community following the increased menace and activities of terrorists, it is necessary to reassure all that the Nigerian Armed Forces is more than ever determined and committed to the defense of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria, regardless of any odd”, the military spokesperson, Chris Olukolade, said in a statement.
Sources: (NAN), Sahara Reporters, Premium Times.
- Readers Comments desired, Share Your Story in comment box below;
DISQUS
