2,000 Civilians Flee Borno To Niger Republic

More than 2,000 Nigerians living in border villages in Borno State have reportedly fled as a result of the ongoing military operations targeted at routing insurgents from the area under the emergency rule.

The fleeing villagers were said to have headed to the neighbouring Niger Republic.

“Most of the residents of border villages of Borno have fled to Niger. About 2,000 people from Abadan, Malam Fatori and other villages are now refugees in Difa, Niger Republic,” a top security officer told one of our correspondents on Sunday.

The source said that the Joint Military Task Force was on the trail of members of the Boko Haram sect, who were dislodged from the Sambisa Game Reserve and other camps on Thursday in Borno State.

It was learnt that residents of Maiduguri and other communities far from the border, who did not want to be caught in the cross-fire had also fled to some neighbouring states, including Kano and Bauchi.

The Director of Defence Information, Defence Headquarters, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, could not confirm whether the Nigerian villagers had fled to Niger Republic.

“I will have to find out,” he said.

As the time of sending this report, he had yet to comment on the development.

Also, Nigerian Immigration Public Relations Officer, Ekpedeme King, promised to find out if any Nigerian villagers fled to Niger Republic.

However, he did not respond to subsequent calls and a text message sent to his phone.

Olukolade, in a statement on Sunday, said, “A total of 20 terrorists were apprehended as they fled. Altogether, three soldiers died, while seven are wounded and are being treated in military medical facility, one soldier is missing.”

According to Olukolade, patrols are also ongoing to secure towns and villages from infiltration by the terrorists.

He added that the curfews imposed on identified flashpoints were being enforced.

The military spokesman said that dislodged terrorists had been in disarray with a large number of them heading for various borders.

He said, “Their bases are being deserted but they are making efforts to evacuate most of the large stock of logistics, including scores of vehicles in their holdings.

“In the course of special forces and operations, a number of encounters have ensued since yesterday (Saturday).”

The military had on Saturday said 10 Boko Haram members were killed, while 65 others were arrested during encounters with the terrorists on Friday.

On Sunday, Olukolade said, “The required reinforcement and logistics have been delivered to forces in fronts where they have been engaging a large number of heavily armed terrorists since yesterday.