BEVERLY HILLS, October 19, (THEWILL) – Despite the ceasefire agreement recently signed between the Federal Government and the Boko Haram insurgents , the terrorists have captured yet another Borno town.
Local sources said the Borno town of Abadan fell into the hands of the terrorists after a two-day siege on the Nigerian border town with Niger as the insurgents were said to have attacked the town for several hours without any opposition from the military .
The insurgents were said to have stormed the town with over 100 heavily armed men in a convoy of about 50 Toyota Hilux vehicles and motorcycles. They were said to have attacked the town with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and petrol-bombs on Saturday night before it was eventually captured on Sunday.
Earlier on Friday, the Boko Haram gunmen had attacked Mallam Fatori, a neighbouring town to Abadam, where they were said to have killed 10 persons.
Mallam Fatori, is a Nigerian border town with Niger Republic and few kilometres from Abadam.
Abadam’s fall on Sunday thus added to the Borno towns and communities currently under the control of the terrorists.
The conquered towns and villages totaling over a dozen include Dikwa, Gwoza, Marte, Damboa, Banki, Bama, Wulgo, Kirenowa..
Following the capture and occupation of Abadam, the “black and white” flags of Boko Haram, were said to have been hoisted in three strategic locations of the town.
Abadam is second largest town to Baga in Northern Borno and 265 kilometres north of Maiduguri, the state capital.
A resident of Abadam who escaped from the town said: “Boko Haram gunmen entered Abadam town on Friday night; and shot at any resident sighted for almost two days; until early hours of Sunday, when many of us started to flee for safety into various directions, including farmlands, bushes and border areas of Bosso town in Niger Republic.”
According to him, “The security operatives are in Mallam Fatori, the council headquarters of Abadam; and they have not come up to the time of the capture the town by the insurgents.”
“The residents have fled into various directions for safety to Niger and bushes, while many other people have fled to places which are yet to be known as at Sunday afternoon. I escaped by crossing River Kumadugu to Diffa , and from there I boarded a bus to Damasak, before arriving Maiduguri city, the state capital today (Sunday ).
“Among the people killed yesterday was my friend who was gunned down, my parents and other relations I believe are still in the bush; and I do not know their state of safety up to the time I am speaking to you now.”
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