Operations by the Nigerian military to recapture Gwoza town and surrounding villages in Borno State seized by the Boko Haram insurgents has led to the displacement of about 10,000 residents who have fled to neighbouring Cameroon and Adamawa State.
A report from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and local officials said many of the displaced persons were still trapped on hilltops and stranded without food or water. “I can confirm to you that over 10,000 displaced Gwoza residents have fled to neighbouring Adamawa State and Cameroun,” NEMA North-east Zonal Coordinator of, Malam Mohammad Kanar told local media.
“As I speak to you, hundreds are on their way to Madagali in Adamawa State and some parts of Cameroon. We are now working assiduously in conjunction with the neighbouring state to assist the fleeing residents. Some parts of Gwoza, especially behind the rocky mountain that borders Cameroon, have been taken over by Boko Haram, who sacked the residents and hoisted their flags,” Kanar added.
Reports say more than 100 civilians and several soldiers have been killed in clashes between Nigeria’s military and Islamist militant group Boko Haram as the army tried Monday to recapture the town of Gwoza which has been under the control the group for more than a week.
However, the army did not succeed in regaining control of Gwoza, a source told City Press, even though “the sheer number of the insurgents and the fact that they were heavily armed prompted the ground troops to request for reinforcements from the air force”.
