Maiduguri about to fall into Boko Haram’s clutch

Maiduguri about to fall into Boko Haram’s clutches

Despite denials from Nigeria military headquarters, Maiduguri the capital of Bornu is at the verge of falling into the hands of the Islamic terror group Boko Haram. Residents of the town have been spotted in droves leaving town for the neighbouring state capital Damaturu.

Reuters news agency reported that apprehension among Maiduguri residents grew after the fierce fighting between the military and Boko Haram in Bama.

Travellers were seen besieging bus stations in the city seeking transport to Damaturu in Yobe State. It added that vehicles laden with passengers and their belongings were seen on the Maiduguri-Damaturu road.


The agency quoted one of the residents, Saka Lawal, as having said, “I’m leaving now because people keep saying Boko Haram may attack Maiduguri anytime and it is possible.”

Reports coming from Maiduguri today have it that the soldiers are evacuating their families from military barracks in the state capital. Non-military staff residing in two major military barracks in Maiduguri, are also being evacuated following the distribution of leaflets by Islamist insurgents announcing their plan to take the Bornu State capital, major town in northeast region of Nigeria. The leaflets were dropped at the gates of Giwa and Maimalari military barracks as well as different parts of the city of Maiduguri.

Boko Haram's strategic plan to overrun Maiduguri and Damaturu

Based on analysis of facts on ground and Boko Haram’s strategy, The Biafran warned about the imminent fall of Maiduguri and Damaturu, which would give Boko Haram the necessary boost to march towards Abuja.

Boko Haram has captured strategic towns that would facilitate their capture of Maiduguri and Damaturu including Gamboru-Ngala, Buni Yadi, Gulani and Bara in Yobe State, Sambisa, Gwoza, and Bama in Bornu State as well as Madagali in Adamawa State.

Boko Haram’s pshycological warfare has proven a success as Nigerian troops to the extent of abandoning their duty posts at the sight of the terrorists. Late last month about 480 Nigerian soldiers abandoned their posts and fled to Cameroon during a gunfight with the militants. An action the Defence Headquarters described their action as “tactical manoeuvres.” It os based on this that leaflets are being distributed in Maiduguri to intensify fear and facilitate the capitulation of the town.

Related Stories:

• Boko Haram expanding caliphate: Gwoza, Banki, Bama in Bornu and Buni Yadi, Bara in Yobe. The strategic plan to capture Maiduguri and Damaturu
• Danger Signal! Boko Haram takes Bama. Eyes Maiduguri