in Mubi, Mararaba Mubi and Uba in Adamawa State on Wednesday.
Casualty figures could not be obtained as of 8pm but the development
forced the state government to impose 24-hour curfew on the affected
communities.
Our correspondents gathered that Mubi, the second largest town in
the state and host of two high institutions, was the worst hit.
A parent, Ahmad Sajoh, whose daughter is studying at the Adamawa
State University, said that as of 2pm on Wednesday, the police
barracks in the Government Reservation Area was overrun by the
insurgents while the prison in the town was blown open.
He added that fighting which was ongoing at the army barracks caused
confusion at the IDP camp in the Lamorde area of the town.
However, an online newspaper,SaharaReportersreported that Boko Haram
insurgents took over the headquarters of the 234 battalion in the
town.
Our correspondents gathered that the development made banks to move
their cash to Yola, the state capital.Sources toldThe PUNCHthat
insurgents launched an attack on Uba in the Michika-Madagali area
of the state in response to sustained aerial bombardment of their
hideouts by security forces.
Residents said they saw a large number of insurgents at Mararaba, a
town about seven kilometres from Mubi.
Sajoh told one of our correspondents that his daughter called to
inform him about the development in Mubi.
He said, "This morning, I got a call from my daughter who is a
200-level student. She was hysterical. I was in Abuja for a meeting,
but her information forced me to head back to Yola immediately.
"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 at Yola airport, the town had fallen to the insurgents.
"My parents are trapped while my daughter and her cousins are missing.
We have lost contact for six hours."
Sajoh, who is the director of Press and Public Affairs to the former
Governor Murtala Nyako, added, "Mallam Iliyasu of the Bursary
Department of the state university, 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 camp at Lamorde area was thrown into confusion.
"The new rulers of the town had issued a decree banning entry and
exit to the town. Students who trooped to the motor park were 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 have taken over."
Another source said that Mubi was currently deserted by residents
after the incident, the second in three months.
The higher institutions in the town were forced to close down again.
There are fears of humanitarian crisis should the town fall into the
hands of the insurgents.
A fleeing resident, Joshua Gajere, said several people might have
been killed during the shootings that lasted for almost two hours in
Uba and other villages.
He said, ''We are in serious trouble as these boys (Boko Haram) have
taken over our towns, splitting into groups and advancing towards
Mararaba, Mubi and Vintim, the home town of the Chief of Defence
Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh. They made the Nigerian troops to
retreat to Mubi''.
Gajere added, "As I am talking to you now, residents are scampering for safety.
''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.''
However, a resident from Michika, Mr. Siva Zira, told one of our
correspondents that the military was having an upper hand as they
were able to dislodge the insurgents in Michika and Uba.
Meanwhile, Governor James Ngillari has asked the people of the
state, particularly those in the affected areas to remain calm as
security agents were on the top of the situation.
His Director of Press and Public Affairs, P.P. Elisha, said the
governor met with security heads in the state to assess the situation.
He said, "It's unfortunate with this development, His Excellency, has
met with security chiefs in the state on Wednesday to assess the
situation.
"People should remain calm, security agents are on the top of situation.''
It was further gathered banks in Mubi have taken the pre-emptive steps
to move out large volume of cash to the Central Bank of Nigeria in
Yola.
Our correspondents could not get the Director, Defence Information,
Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, to comment on the hostilities as the
calls to his mobile telephone line did not connect.
The government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Mubi, Mararaba Mubi and Uba.
The Secretary to the State Government, Mr Andrew Weyle, who announced
this, advised the people to stay away from the roads and other public
places.
He said,"Following the escalation of violence by the insurgents, his
Excellency the Governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Bala James Ngillari, has
approved the imposition of 24 hours curfew on Mubi, Mararaba Mubi and
Uba, with immediate effect.
"People are advised to stay off the roads and public places except
those on essential services."
It was further gathered that the insurgents killed the son of a
prominent traditional ruler in the area.A resident, who identified
himself as Kwahir Sani, said, "We fled to a village called Wuro Gude
near Mubi when the violence erupted and I have lost contact with some
of my children.
"As I am talking to you now, we are hearing gunshots by military in Mubi."
It was gathered that the insurgents also attacked Askira Uba and
Kukawa in Borno State for over six hours.
A fleeing resident said the terrorists killed many people, burnt many
houses and carted away food stuffs.
Agence France Pressereported that the heavily armed terrorists, on
arrival in Kukawa, opened fire on a police station and market, sending
many fleeing.
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