Military, Boko Haram in bloody battle

Fierce battle continued yesterday between Boko Haram and the military,  which has intensified efforts to reclaim territories captured by the insurgents in northern part of Adamawa State. In the battle, some soldiers and about 100 insurgents were killed.

Daily Sun gathered that in the latest battle, Boko Haram insurgents were forced to a retreat, as soldiers took control of Michika town, in Adamawa State.

According to residents of Michika, who escaped from battle area, the military had an upper hand, taking control of Michika town, which had been under insurgents for close to a month.

The sources said that the military also pushed towards Gulak, in its effort to flush out insurgents in the area.
“The Nigerian troops have gained entry into Michika and are now fully in control of the town, having dealt a severe blow to the insurgents, as they lost about 100 members. Some escaped with injuries sustained from gun shots,” the source said.


The source also stated: “There is heavy fighting between the insurgents and Nigerian troops, as the insurgents are doing everything to frustrate the effort of the Nigerian troops and many people who are trapped in the towns are afraid.”

He said that the insurgents, who were in their thousands, came through Uba and launched an attack on the military.  Gallant soldiers, he stated, launched a counter-attack.

Meanwhile, Adamawa State Acting Governor, Hon Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, commended the efforts of the military to liberate the two local government.

In  a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary,  Mr. Solomon  Kumangar. The governor welcomed the news of the liberation of Michika with joy and commends the officers and men of the military for their gallantry.

He  said that Adamawa people will remain grateful to President Goodluck Jonathan and the army, saying that the triumph in Michika “affirmed the doggedness of our men and women in uniform, whose service and sacrifice can never be forgotten.”

In a related development, there were reports that Boko Haram fighters launched an attack on Bazza and Vimtim, the hometown of the Chief of Defense Staff, Alex Badeh, in Adamawa yesterday.
Also, Boko Haram reportedly beheaded seven people yesterday in the remote town of Ngamdu, in Borno State.

According to AFP, the overnight raid targeted the town of Ngamdu, the area hardest hit in the Islamists’ five-year uprising.

AFP quoted a resident, Musa Abor, saying that when locals woke up, they discovered “seven people had been brutally killed,” The gunmen “slit their (victims) throats, just the way people slaughter goats,” he added.
The news agency also quoted state official, who pleaded anonymity as saying  that the bodies of the victims were decapitated, in the latest act of gruesome violence.

In recent months, Boko Haram insurgents have targeted reprisal attacks at locals who have fought alongside the military as vigilantes. An army officer in Borno, who also requested anonymity, said 15 Boko Haram fighters were killed in clashes in Ngamdu two weeks ago and the group had vowed revenge against the community.

AFP said those killed yesterday could not immediately be identified, as vigilantes and the defence ministry was not available to comment on the attack or the alleged beheadings.