What Is Going On In Maiduguri?

Different reports have been reaching us from various sources about the Boko Haram situation in Bama town in Borno and it is still very unclear what is going on.

Maiduguri

Here is what we know:

1. According to BBC,  traditional elders in Borno has revealed that the Boko Haram insurgent have completely laid siege on the Borno town. The Traditional Elders Forum reportedly raised the alarm that the Boko Haram fighters have surrounded the northeast Nigerian city of Maiduguri and are preparing an imminent takeover.

2. Premium Times reports have revealed that the Defence Headquarters have stabilized the towns that have become Boko Haram hot spots.

3. The Nigerian Military has also said that the earlier reports about Boko Haram takeover in the Maiduguri town was only meant to induce panic.

4. The Defence Headquarters mentioned the towns that they have stabilized. The towns mentioned included Mubi, Michika, Bazza, Gulak, Gwoza, Bama, Gamboru and Ngala.

5. Yet another report has shown that women and children in Bama Town are in a panic and “dying of hunger and thirst” due to the tight grip Boko Haram has on the town.

6. Leadership have revealed the officials of the Borno Government have debunked claim that all is well in the Bama Town.

7. The Federal Government, at this time, has not released any official statement regarding the issue that Bama Town residents really are experiencing a difficult time with the Boko Haram insurgents

Thousands of women and children stranded in Bama

Seizure of new towns and declaration of caliphate in the captured territories is part of the new tactics employed by the terrorists. Boko Haram are believed to have derived it from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Last month the sect leader Abubakar Shekau released the video in which he announced the overrun Gwoza part of caliphate.

Following this several other towns fell under the insurgents control. The advancement continues, with the military being engaged in fierce fights with Sheaku’s men.