Damasak residents displaced as Boko Haram attacks Borno villages

Villages around Damasak, Mobbar LGA in Borno state have been attacked by Boko Haram insurgents. 

The insurgents who struck on Wednesday came with machine guns and a fleet of trucks. 

The attack left hundreds of residents displaced as many took to the bushes for safety while some fled to neighbouring Niger Republic. 

Mohammed Yerima, army spokesperson, was not immediately available to comment on the attack, but military sources in the area told TheCable that the attack was repelled by troops from the 7 brigade and 153 battalion. 

Damasak, a military source said, had been a target for the insurgents since 2016 when the area was recaptured by Nigerian troops. 

“They have attacked like six times now, and their plan is to take over the area,” the source said. 

“They couldn’t get into Damasak, so they started attacking nearby villages like Gashigar, about 15 kilometres away. And mostly villages after Chad Basin bridge.

“The insurgents’ interest in having Damasak is because the town shares a border with Niger.” 

Soldiers, while recapturing the town in 2016, had advanced from Gubio down to Kareto. 

The military has intensified its efforts in fighting Boko Haram, but the insurgents continue to carry out attacks.