Boko Haram crisis: 480 Nigerian soldiers flee to Cameroon

Monday, August 25, 2014 5:19 pm

Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Nigeria’s neighbor, Cameroon has confirmed that it is holding about 480 Nigerian soldiers who fled to its territory following fierce confrontation with Boko Haram militants, the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC has reported.

Though Nigerian military authorities are yet to confirm or deny this claim, BBC quoted the spokesman for the Cameroonian Army identified as Lt. Col. Didier Badjek saying the soldiers had been disarmed and were now being accommodated in schools.

Nigerian soldiers: escape into Cameroon

Earlier reports indicated that the insurgents had captured Gamboru-Ngala, a key town on Nigeria border with Cameroon part of Borno State after fierce fighting between men of the Nigerian Army and the militants.

Reports indicated that the insurgents had launched attack on an army barrack in the area before they went to effortlessly took over the town and embarked on a house to house raid.

Abubakar Shekau, leader of Boko Haram had in a video made available to journalists yesterday announced that the insurgents had turned the town of Gwoza and the surrounding countryside which the group had earlier seized into an “Islamic Caliphate.”

Boko Haram militants had seized Gwoza, Borno State which is also a base for a police college last Wednesday, killing scores of the residents and forcing thousands others to flee to Mubi, in neighbouring Adamawa State as refugees.

Nigeria Police said on Saturday that about 35 of its men who were on training during the attack are still missing. Nigeria military authorities however denied the claim even as they vowed to drive the rebels out of the town.

The insurgents are also in control of other towns like Marte in Borno State, Buni Yadi in Yobe State, and Madagali in Adamawa State.