According to ThisDay, members of the radical terrorists group, Boko Haram at the weekend reportedly seized control of Malam Fatori, a Borno town near the Nigerien border, a development that allegedly sent Nigerian soldiers fleeing into the country to take refuge.
Maj-Gen Chris Olukolade
Meanwhile, Anfani radio station in Diffa reported that the battle led to the death of dozens with about 30 people injured in the commercial hub known for fishing and farming.
“The town of Malam Fatori was taken by Boko Haram after violent fighting with the Nigerian army overnight Wednesday to Thursday,” said the official in Diffa.
The official said thousands of Nigerians are currently taking refuge in the town following the midweek attacks. He said 315 Nigerian soldiers fled over the border to Diffa, adding that thirteen who were wounded were treated in a Diffa hospital, while others have been repatriated.
However, the official’s account of happenings in the area contravened the version given by Senator Maina Maaji Lawan, who on Thursday spoke on the attacks but declined to mention that the town had been taken by Boko Haram.
According to Lawan, Boko Haram members met a strong resistance from security operatives of the multinational task force in the region, which comprised troops from Nigeria, Chad and Niger.
The lawmaker said the soldiers were later forced to flee after being overpowered by the insurgents, adding that 21 civilians were killed in the attacks.
However, there has not been any official confirmation from the DHQ that 315 Nigerian soldiers fled into Niger last week, but a security source revealed to ThisDay, that the attack was brought under control due to the immediate reinforcement of soldiers from Yobe and Adamawa States, who now saved Malam Fatori from falling into the hands of terrorists.
Another security source in the North-east, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the soldiers were forced to retreat because of the overwhelming firepower of Boko Haram. He confirmed that the situation was later brought under control following the arrival of soldiers from other units.
The source further stated that though some of the soldiers were reported to have returned, they are yet to be sighted at the 7 Division, Nigerian Army Headquarters in Maiduguri, Borno State.
“All of them have not come in; we heard that some of them had come back but not yet in 7Div, as we don’t know where they passed through. Boko Haram advanced to that town and after the soldiers retreated to Niger, other soldiers were drafted from Yobe and Adamawa to halt their advance and secure Malam Fatori,” the source said.
The military source, who complained about lack of sophisticated weaponry that would be used to effectively engage and defeat the Boko Haram sect, went ahead to demand for the urgent issuance of weapons for the successful prosecution of the war against terrorism.
Another military source said the troops in the North-east had not been given the equipment said to have been purchased for the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.
“The planned ‘Operation No Mercy’ can only be effective if the right weaponry, right spirit and coordinates are applied,” the source said.
The terrorists group, Boko Haram has reportedly killed thousands in its five-year insurgency against the Nigerian government as they continue to clamor for the creation of an Islamic state. The group’s attacks recently increased after they allegedly entered a ceasefire agreement with the Nigerian government. They have now reportedly taken control of major towns in the country’s Northern eastern part.
It would be recalled that on November 7, 2014, a local lawmaker revealed that about 21 civilians were reportedly killed in a battle between the Boko Haram sect and Nigerian troops in Borno state.
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