Boko Haram reportedly gains new grounds, hoists flag in Baga, Borno
More than 5,000 people have been displaced in communities across two local government areas in Borno state after violent attacks by Boko Haram led to the capture of Baga community.
The community was reportedly captured after the terrorist group allegedly ransacked and took over a military base in the area. Once the soldiers were displaced, the community came under their control, and they went on to hoist their flag.
There has been a resurgence of Boko Haram in Borno recently and it’s believed that the present group of insurgents are affiliated with Islamic State. In fact they’re regarded as the Islamic State of West Africa Province, under the leadership of Abu-Mossad Albarnawi.
One of the residents told TheCable that the insurgents surrounded them while they were praying in the mosque and declared that the community was now their territory.
“They told us not to panic as we prayed together… they said they were not going to kill any civilian. And that they are from the Abu-Mossad Albarnawi’s ISWAP faction. They told us to stay in the town or leave if we want to. They dressed in browned caftan with army boots. Some completely covered their faces with mask,” he said.
This new development has created a new sweep of displaced person seeking refuge in IDP camps across the region.
The zonal coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the north-east, Bashir Garga disclosed that 2,046 internally displaced persons were registered in just one day.
Nigeria Army has been devising new plans to defeat Boko Haram as the insurgents keep gaining new grounds in defiance of the military.
