Boko Haram ‘captures’ Madagali

Boko Haram has captured and hoisted its in flag in Madagali, Adamawa state, a fleeing resident has told TheCable.

The source, who didn’t want to be named for fear of endangering his life, said other towns such as Hong and Mubi have also been witnessing fierce attacks since Monday and are at risk.

“They have taken Madagali and hoisted their flag there,” he said. “I had to escape to Yola, where all of us around Michika and other target towns have been fleeing to.”

His host, a resident of Yola, told TheCable he was worried by the sheer number of people trooping into the state capital.

“People from these areas are pouring into Yola. The fleeing residents of Madagali say Boko Haram has captured the town and hoisted its flags, so they cannot go back there for now,” he said.

“The level of destruction in these towns is massive. Boko Haram has burnt houses and destroyed lots of property. There is bound to be a bigger crisis, as the number of internally displaced persons in the state capital is rising at an alarming rate.”

Director-general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri later confirmed to TheCable that Madagali and Gulak were under severe attack by Boko Haram, “but efforts are on going to ensure the safety of everyone.”

On Monday, Boko Haram captured Michika and killed 24 soldiers, injuring former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s son, in another confrontation with the military at Baza.

There were also fears on Monday that Mubi, the home town of chief of defence staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh, is one of the sect’s next targets.