Military ramps up counter-attack against Boko Haram in battle for Mubi

The fighting between Nigerian troops and suspected members of Boko Haram in Mubi, Adamawa State, entered the second day with the Nigerian Air Force launching a ferocious aerial bombardment against the terrorists who attacked the town and its environs on Wednesday, according to intelligence sources.

However, the fighting in the northern part of Adamawa took a turn for the worse yesterday following reports that the hometown of the Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh had been overrun by suspected members of the sect.


A trapped resident, who identified himself as Dauda Longman, said the sound of gunshots and explosions prevented them from sleeping throughout last night.

“We could not sleep, there were explosions and gunshots as helicopter gunships continued to bombard the town,” he said.

He disclosed that the Mubi market was burnt down and many vehicles were also set ablaze by the insurgents who went about destroying houses and killing innocent people.

Longman said thick black smoke had covered the sky of the ancient city, adding that he made an effort to escape through difficult terrain because that was the only route out of Mubi, as the insurgents had blocked the major roads in and out of the town.

“This morning there was still fighting going on in Vimtim, the home town of the Chief of Defence Staff and there was heavy exchange of fire and explosions there.

“We are in state of despair and agony over the spate of killings by the rampaging Boko Haram sect. Right now, corpses are littering the streets of Mubi especially around the police station; there are dead bodies of slain policemen and soldiers at the ‘Welcome to Mubi’ entrance gate,” he said.

Madam Mary also narrated her experience, saying Mubi was now in disarray. “We are hiding in our homes and other places. They (Boko Haram members) burnt down many places including the market and motorcycles. They have since hoisted their flag at the emir’s palace.

“They are in control of police stations, military barracks and institutions of higher learning. The soldiers ran away, several people have been killed including civilians. They also attacked and killed those they believe are informants or infidels,” she said

Also, residents of Vintim village, the hometown of the CDS, confirmed that the village, a suburb of Mubi, finally fell to the insurgents, adding that the rampaging terrorists had sacked the military and locals of the village,

A source, who confirmed the incident, said following the capture of Vimtim yesterday, the insurgents had a field day looting and burning properties in the village.


Credit: Daji Sani/Senator Iroegbu/ThisDay