A resident of Damasak town, in Mobbar local government area of Borno State, in northeast Nigeria, said several lives were lost when Soldiers, late Tuesday, battled Boko Haram insurgents as they attempted to take over their base in Damask.
Damask is about 160km from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Bukar Alhaji Modu who fled to Gubio said local vigilante who attempted to stop the insurgents were overpowered, with many of them scampering for safety.
“The insurgents have killed many people. The Police also fled. We were worried that the soldiers allowed them and only defended their territory. But this morning we learned that the soldiers are also angry with the community for allegedly conspiring with the insurgents who continuously attack Damasak.
“The insurgents when they arrived yesterday at about 5:00 pm, headed straight to take the military base but met strong resistance. However, the soldiers only chased them away from their territory but could not repel them out of the town.
“The insurgents slept in the hospital till this morning. We were told that they burnt down all humanitarian facilities and there are many deaths in the town,” Modu added.
Chairman Mobbar local government council, Mustapha Bunu Kolo told newsmen that the attack on Tuesday was devastating as ISWAP took control of the town.
“Though I am not in Damasak, as I travelled out for official engagement, but based on the information at my disposal, the insurgents invaded the town since 5 pm and are still holding ground as of this time (10:40 pm).
“The insurgents have succeeded in razing down remaining humanitarian hubs, markets, shops, and an unspecified number of residential houses, as they detonated their Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) without confrontation.
“I was also informed that many people lost their lives in the attack, but I don’t have the actual number of casualties as the insurgents are still much around, and have continued wreaking havoc on innocent civilians,” Kolo explained.
Both Col. Ado Isa, the spokesman of Operation Lafiya Dole, and Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, the Army spokesman are yet to comment on the attack and the allegation that soldiers only defended their base.
