By DAVID MOLOMO, YOLA
Heavily armed terrorists overran Adamawa border communities in Madagali Local Government Area yesterday.
Witnesses and local officials confirmed yesterday that the insurgents sacked residents and hoisted their black and white flag.
The attack came barely 48 hours after suspected members of Boko Haram sect dislodged the National Police Mobile Training Camp in Limankara village of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Madagali town, which is about 20 kilometres from the seized Gwoza town, which is also located between Adamawa, Borno and Cameroon republic and surrounded by Mandara Mountains, has suffered series of attacks with hundreds of residents displaced.
The latest attack was the deadliest with quite a number of residents feared killed before the insurgents established a settlement in the area.
Chairman of the Madagali Local Government Area, Mr. James Abawu Watharda confirmed the attacks and the hoisting of flag.
Watharda added. “The insurgents, large in number, and using Rocket Propelled Launchers, Improvised Explosive Devices and petrol bombs, invaded our communities, headed to Madagali and opened fire on innocent civilians before overpowering security operatives and vigilante groups and hoisting their flags.”
“Yes, some Boko Haram terrorists invaded most of our villages, shooting sporadically and killing many innocent people, and destroying a lot of houses before hoisting their flags in different locations. We, the people of Madagali are very worried with the spate of killings and destruction by terrorists without military or security agencies confronting them.
“The terrorists are now having a field day. They stormed Gwoza. Just last Wednesday, the terrorists invaded the Police Mobile Training Camp in nearby Limankara village and took over the facilities on ground and today they are here in Madagali.
“For now, people are fleeing for their lives and no one can tell the exact casualty figure, because of the pandemonium that ensued.”
Meanwhile, following the attacks on Gwoza and its environs, residents are now taking refuge in Madagali, a border town. The latest development has again forced some internally displaced persons who ran away from the Gwoza attacks three weeks ago and resettled in neighbouring Madagali town to vacate the community along with the natives for fear of being killed. One of the displaced persons from Gwoza who fled to Gulak, one Dauda Musa said. “The latest attack forced many people in Madagali and those who moved into the community to flee again to neighbouring Mubi and Gombi towns in Adamawa for fear of possible attacks from the terrorists who now operate freely without confrontation by security operatives.”
Attempts to get the Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Micheal Haa’s comments did not yield fruit, as his phone was switched off.
