The commercial town of Mubi in Adamawa state and
border towns were thrown into a state of panic as several
residents of the towns were attacked by rampaging Boko
Haram members who also engaged Nigerian troops in a
deadly shoot out, residents who fled the area have said.
Many of the soldiers and residents fled to neighbouring
local government areas.
Joshua Chinasa, a resident of Uba town which is about 30
Kilometres away from Mubi, said several people might have
been killed during the shooting spree which was still going
on at the time of filling this report.
“We are in serious trouble these boys have taken our
towns. Some Boko Haram members have taken over
Mararraban Mubi and Vintim the home town of Chief of
Defense Staff, Alex Badeh, and the Nigerian troops are
running for their lives.
“As I am talking to you now, residents are scampering for
their lives for fear of imminent attack and uncertainty,”
Mr. Chinasa said.
Also corroborating, Lamidi Kery, a female resident and a
widow who lost her husband to a similar attack in Mubi,
confirmed that people died during the attack.
“The town is deserted now, people have all fled into
nearby bushes and hilltops. We have seen soldiers in their
vehicles retreating,” she said.
Another source said that the Boko Haram insurgents
overran Madagali down to Bazza both in Adamawa State.
“They are having a field day. Even yesterday I sneaked
into Michika town to evacuate my aged mother, but
surprisingly only insurgents could be heard around, there
were no soldiers.”
“Mubi, has now become a shadow of its former self, people
in hundreds are scampering for their lives.
“Even here in Maiha, we saw soldiers vehicles zoom-off
towards Yola, the state capital,” said a local source in
Maiha, another town in Adamawa.
Ahmad Sajor, the spokesperson to former Adamawa State
governor, Murtala Nyako, told PREMIUM TIMES his
daughter was missing after news broke of the advance of
the insurgents early Wednesday.
“This morning I got a call from my daughter who is a 200
level student of Adamawa State University, Mubi. She was
hysterical. I was in Abuja for a meeting, but her
information forced me to head back to Yola immediately,”
Mr. Sajoh said.
“According to her, the insurgents were approaching the
town which is the second largest in Adamawa State. I
ordered her to leave the hostel and join her cousins to
escape the town. I called my father who confirmed the
story.
“By the time I arrived Yola airport, the town had fallen to
the insurgents. My parents are trapped while my daughter
and her cousins are missing. We lost contact for the past
six hours.
“My colleague Mallam Iliyasu of the Bursary Department
Adamawa State University, Mubi who is trapped in the
town said by 2pm the Police Barracks in the GRA was
overrun by the insurgents, the Prison was blown open
while fighting was going on at the army Barracks.
“The IDP camp at Lamorde was thrown into confusion. The
new rulers of the town had issued a decree banning all
entry and exit to the town. Students who trooped to the
motor park are now stranded with most taking refuge in
any House that could welcome them.
“The barracks are the least safe locations in the town. So
far there are no reported cases of killings or abductions.
But fear and apprehension had taken over. No word yet on
the incident either by Government or the Military.”
The state governor, Bala Ngillari, has asked the people of
the state, particularly those in the affected areas to remain
calm saying security agents are on the top of the situation.
“People should remain calm, security agents are on the top
of situation,” P.P Elisha, the director Press and Public
Affairs to the governor said on behalf of the governor.