Thousands flee two northern Nigeria towns in fear of Boko Haram attacks

Hundreds of civilians are fleeing Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri as fears grow that Islamist Boko Haram militants may try to assault the Borno state capital after seizing towns and territory around it, residents said on Thursday. Heavily armed Boko Haram fighters using captured military vehicles and weapons have taken towns and villages to the north, east and south of Maiduguri in the last few weeks and days in an apparent strategy to encircle the city and hold territory. Apprehension among Maiduguri residents grew after fierce fighting since Monday between Nigeria’s military and attacking Boko Haram fighters over the town of Bama, 70 kilometres southeast of Maiduguri. Thousands have fled Bama amid conflicting reports of who has control.

They are creating territory for themselves … they have seen what IS have done, so they are trying to imitate them.

Musa Sumail, Maiduguri human rights activist

The militants, who have issued videos of themselves storming into towns with guns blazing aboard trucks mounted with heavy machine guns, also took the smaller town of Bara on Tuesday, to the southwest of Maiduguri. Boko Haram, whose leader Abubakar Shekau last month declared a “Muslim territory” in the northeast after capturing the town of Gwoza on the Cameroon border, is believed to be trying to mimic the example of the Islamic State (also known as ISIL or ISIS) in Syria and Iraq that announced the creation of a separate caliphate there. The Borno state government and the armed forces have said Bama remains under government control but did not immediately respond to calls asking for updates on the security situation. Travellers packed bus stations in Maiduguri seeking transport westwards toward Damaturu in neighbouring Yobe state, the only safe exit route out. Vehicles laden with passengers and possessions were also seen on the Maiduguri-Damaturu road.

I’m leaving now because people keep saying Boko Haram may attack Maiduguri anytime and it is possible.

Saka Lawal, car mechanic, leaving town with his wife and two children

Africa