Residents Flee As Troops Clash With Boko Haram In Borno

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have attacked a military base and raze down public buildings forcing residents to flee their homes in Marte community at the fringes of Lake Chad Basin, Borno State.

The terrorists in their hundreds stormed the recently resettled community in the northern part of the state on Friday evening, shooting from all angles and forcing returnees to flee into the bushes, Daily Trust reports.

An official of the Borno State Government disclosed that there was a gun battle between troops and insurgents for hours at Marte town on Friday evening.

According to the source, hundreds of civilians slept in the bushes and trekked throughout the night but have started arriving Dikwa town, which is about 25 kilometers away.

“It was a disturbing news. We got the sad news last night around 8:pm that the troops have been engaging the insurgents for hours.

“As I am speaking to you, hundreds of returnees fled their homes and are taking refuge in Dikwa.

“The troops have displayed gallantry but the insurgents came in hundreds, according to information we received.

“Our prayers are with the troops,” the source disclosed.

Another security source also revealed that the insurgents attacked military formations, adding that there was reinforcement from Dikwa this morning that engaged the Boko Haram members.