Aug. 7, 2014
Insurgents suspected to be Boko haram militants have taken over military camps in the five major towns of Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Residents in the area said it was the aftermath of the destroyed Kadarko bridge which linked Southern Yobe to other parts of the state that forced the existing military camps in Buni Yadi, Buni Gari, Goniri and Gujba towns to withdraw troops from those locations.
A top security source said on condition of anonymity that, “It is not a secret any longer that our forces are no longer in Buni Yadi, Buni Gari and Goniri. We only have our troops at Katarko.
Resident from Buni Yadi also alleged that the insurgents are now in control of the first military camp located at the town’s entrance check point and they are now monitoring and screening commuters.
A local resident said, “I met them dressed in military fatique roaming freely with sophisticated guns without fear or resistance”.
A Farmer in the area told our correspondent that the insurgents have established several camps in the bush forcing most farmers to stop work on thier farms.
“They usually warned strictly that they have no business with us if we didn’t expose them, otherwise they will kill us and stop farming activity in the area” a farmer in the area said.
“We are facing a very terrible situation. There is no single security in our area. The same in Buni Gari and Goniri. In fact ‘Yaaran’ referring to Boko Haram have taken over the military camps in the areas.
Our correspondent gathered that the staff of the Ministry of Works who went to assess the bridge for reconstruction narrowly escaped being killed by Gunmen.
Katarko village where the major bridge was cut off is located 22km from Damaturu and 34km from Buni Yadi town. The insurgents have continue to lunch their assault on residents and security operatives in the area.
DETAILS LATER..