The members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect on Wednesday, October 29, 2014, unleashed a fresh attack and took over Mubi, one of major cities in Adamawa state and thereafter marauded some other nearby towns and villages, killing many residents of those areas
It was learnt that most of the residents of the area including soldiers had deserted the area to neighbouring local government areas.
Some of them disclosed that there had been sporadic shooting spree between the terrorists and the Nigerian troops on the day of the attack.
One of them identified as Joshua Chinasa, who had escaped from Uba town which is about 30 kilometres from Mubi said, “We are in serious trouble as these boys (Boko Haram) have taken over our towns, splitting in groups with some Boko Haram members advancing towards Mararraban Mubi and Vintim, the home town of Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, giving Nigerian troops a hot chase. Mubi has now become a ghost of itself as people in their hundreds are fleeing for their lives. Even here in Maiha, we saw military vehicles zooming off towards Yola, the state capital.”
He speculated that alot of people must have been shot dead during the encounter which lasted for about two hours in Uba and other villages.
Furthermore, Ahmad Sajoh, the spokesperson to former Adamawa State governor, Murtala Nyako, while narrating his ordeal said he was yet to see his daughter after the encounter.
He said: “This morning, I got a call from my daughter who is a 200 level student of Adamawa State University, Mubi. She was hysterical. I was in Abuja for a meeting, but her information forced me to head back to Yola immediately. She told me that the insurgents were approaching the town which is the second largest in Adamawa State. I ordered her to leave the hostel and join her cousins to escape the town. I called my father who confirmed the story.
“By the time I arrived Yola airport, the town had fallen to the insurgents. My parents are trapped while my daughter and her cousins are missing. We lost contact for the past six hours.
“My colleague, Mallam Iliyasu of the Bursary Department Adamawa State University, Mubi, who is trapped in the town, said by 2pm the Police Barracks in the GRA was overrun by the insurgents; the Prison was blown open while fighting was going on at the Army barracks.
“The IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camp at Lamorde was thrown into confusion. The new rulers of the town had issued a decree banning all entry and exit to the town. Students who trooped to the motor park are now stranded with most taking refuge in any house that could welcome them.
“The barracks are the least safe locations in the town. So far there are no reported cases of killings or abductions. But fear and apprehension had taken over. No word yet on the incident either by government or the military.”
Confirming the death of people during the attack, a widow, Lamidi Kery, whose husband was murdered in a similar attack in Mubi said, “The town is deserted now, people have all fled into nearby bushes and hilltops. We have seen soldiers in their vehicles retreating.”
Another source said that the terrorists had dominated from Madagali down to Bazza, both in Adamawa State.
He said, “They are having a field day. Even yesterday, I sneaked into Michika town to evacuate my aged mother, but surprisingly only insurgents could be heard around, there were no soldiers.
“Mubi has now become a shadow of its former self, people in hundreds are scampering for their lives. Even here in Maiha, we saw soldiers’ vehicles zoom-off towards Yola, the state capital,” said a local source in Maiha, another town in Adamawa.”
In reaction to the development, the Emir of Mubi, Alhaji Abubakar Isah Ahmadu,called out to the Federal Government to come to their rescue in order to avoid further destruction by the terrorists.
The Director, Press and Public Affairs in the state Mr. P. P. Elisha, in a statement said, “it’s unfortunate. His Excellency (the governor) met with security chiefs in the state yesterday to asses the situation. People should remain calm, security agents are on top of the situation.”
