Report: Nigerian towns still under Boko Haram grip

Report: Nigerian towns still under Boko Haram grip

Friday, October 17, 2014 11:21 am


A Nigerian newspaper, the Daily Trust has detailed swathe of Nigerian territory still under Boko Haram control, despite the impression of calm on the frontline and the supposed liberation of Nigerian territory by troops.

And the Nigerian House of Representatives has sounded a wake up call to the Nigerian military authorities that more battles still need to be fought to restore Nigeria’s sovereignty on the territory, Boko Haram has christened as Islamic Caliphate.

The Nigerian towns still under Boko Haram control

The Nigerian towns still under Boko Haram control

A member of the House of Representatives from Borno State had hammered this raelity home when he informed his colleagues that his own constituency is still being ruled by Boko Haram militants.

Rep Abdurrahman Terab (PDP, Borno), said Ngala, Kala-Balge and Bama LGAs, which form his constituency, are still being controlled by insurgents, contrary to claims that they had been liberated

“Contrary to earlier reports that the said local government areas were reclaimed by the Nigerian government and are now under the control of Nigerian troops, they are still under the control of the Boko Haram,” he said.

Daily Trust went further to report that Gowza and Dikwa LGAs of Borno State have also remained in the hands of insurgents since August.

Terab said as a result of the seizure of the local governments in his constituency, arbitrary killings are going on there and that the insurgents are enforcing their own laws on people, Daily Trust reported.

“Young women and teenage girls are not being spared, as they are facing all sorts of abuse, torture and forced marriages,” the lawmaker added.

Terab said people who fled the overrun areas into Cameroon, “numbering almost 200,000 and who are mostly from Ngala and Kala-Balge local government areas, are living without basic requirements, like food and shelter.”

He acknowledged that soldiers battling the insurgents are doing their best despite the challenges of inadequate manpower, arms and equipment. He urged the Federal Government to take further steps towards retaking the affected areas from insurgents.

Soon after Terab presented his motion, Rep. Forte Dike (PDP, Anambra) opposed passing it, contending that there have been “incontrovertible statements in the media saying that the areas are no longer under Boko Haram control.”

But lawmakers shouted him down, and thereafter resoundingly voted in support of the motion when it was put to vote by Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.

In its resolution, the House also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to liaise with Cameroon in providing relief to refugees from Borno now staying in Cameroonian towns.

Boko Haram insurgents began their capture of territory in Borno with the seizure of Damboa on July 19, but they were chased out by the military within weeks.

Subsequently, they seized Gwoza on August 6, and moved on with lighting speed, overrunning Gamboru-Ngala on August 25, Dikwa on August 28 and Bama on September 1.

The insurgents also took over Buni Yadi and Bara, two local government area headquarters in Yobe State.

Later in September, Boko Haram moved southwards, overrunning Madagali, Gulak and Michika in Adamawa State. These three towns were reported to have been liberated by the military earlier this month, but authorities have yet to confirm this.

*Originally reported by Daily Trust


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