Suspected members of the Boko Haram sect have launched a surprise attack on the Nigerian troops stationed in Adamawa with the military base set on fire and panic instilled in people.
Rampaging Boko Haram militants on Sunday night engaged Nigerian troops in a fierce battle in their new bid to take over Gulak, the administrative headquarters of Madagali in the northern part of Adamawa State, according to Premium Times.
Security and local sources say the insurgents, who came in three vehicles brandishing guns, burnt down a military base as they also burnt down three artilleries and carted away guns.
“They came around 7 p.m. and started firing on the soldiers during which all the soldiers ran away.
“There was pandemonium, people scampered for their lives, many slept in bushes, they killed one soldier during the fierce battle.
“Our local vigilantes had tried by staying back, until another troops were deployed from Madagali town and Shuwa, they engaged them, if not they would have recaptured the town for the second time,” said James Ularamu, former chairman of Madagali.
The former Council chairman, and a local vigilante who did not want to be named, said there were heavy gun battles. The local vigilante, who couldn’t say whether there were casualties from the Boko Haram side, said “after we chased them away they fled to the nearby Sambisa area.”
Efforts to get the army spokesperson were futile, but a member representing the area at the house of Representatives, Adamu Kamale, confirmed the attack.
The state commissioner of information, Ahmed Sajo, said additional troops had been deployed to the area.