Communities Deserted As Boko Haram Invade Military Base In Niger

Residents of Allawa, a town in Niger State, and its adjoining communities have taken to their heels after suspected Boko Haram members reportedly sacked the Military base in the town in Shiroro local government area of Niger state.

The incident was said to have happened at about 1:30 am on Thursday.

They invaded the town on motorcycles, with no less than three of them on each bike, fully armed.

Our Correspondent reliably gathered that the armed men must have embarked on a reprisal mission after the Military neutralized about fifty of them during a fierce battle in the area last week.

About 200 fully armed insurgents were said to have carried out the dastardly act.

An eyewitness in the area who pleaded for anonymity also said a greater number of the insurgents out of the about 200 stormed the military camp and sacked those on duty. At the same time, the others also invaded the village and rained bullets on the houses visited.

Cash, foodstuffs, and other handy valuables were carted away from the town’s residents and other adjourning villagers.

As at the time of filling the report, the number of casualties recorded in the village and on the side of the military and the armed men could not be ascertained.

“There was a fierce battle between the insurgents and the military and it was around 1:30 am and it lasted for some hours.

“Because it was midnight, the number of casualties could not be ascertained,” he remarked.

The Military Camp it was also gathered had been deserted by the military personnel deployed to the area.

With this development, residents of Allawa town and adjourning communities like Pandogari, Kukoki, Bassa among others have started fleeing the area for safety grounds.

Just last week, suspected Boko Haram members ambushed and killed two military officers and four other soldiers in Karaga, in the same Shiroro local government area of the State.

Efforts to get confirmation and response on the issue from the state police command through its spokesman, Superintendent of Police Wasiu Abiodun, proved abortive as his number could not be reached.