Members of the outlawed Boko Haram sect have, again,
seized Chibok, the home of over 200 schoolgirls abducted
by the insurgents in April.
The insurgents attacked and seized the town on Thursday
evening, residents said.
The attackers have repeatedly targeted villages around
Chibok over recent months.
A senator from Borno State, Ali Ndume, told the BBC
Hausa service that security forces deployed in the town ran
away when the insurgents attacked.
Residents said the insurgents headed to the centre of Chibok
and declared that they were taking it over as part of their
caliphate.
The insurgents have changed tactics in recent months by
holding on to territories rather than using hit-and-run
attacks that have left thousands dead.
It was, however, learnt that the attackers were those
dislodged from Mubi by soldiers on Thursday.
A security source said troops engaged the insurgents in a
lengthy gun battle at the headquarters of the Chibok Local
Government Area.
Our correspondent could not ascertain the casualty figure as
of the time of filing this report.
The source said, “The Boko Haram fighters attacked Chibok
again on Thursday night but the soldiers gave them a good
fight.
“From what we heard, the insurgents were those dislodged
from Mubi following attempt by soldiers and the vigilante
members.
“You know that vigilante members were drawn from all the
local government areas of Adamawa. Some also came from
Gombe and Kano states.”
But another security source said the insurgents only attacked
Chibok and left without occupying the place.
Our correspondent could not get the Defence Spokesman,
Maj. Gen Chris Olukolade, to comment on the attack as the
calls to his mobile telephone line indicated that it was either
switched off or in an area outside of network coverage.
Chairman, Chibok Community in Abuja, Chief Tsambido
Abana, who confirmed the Chibok attack on Friday,
explained that the situation in the town was dicey and the
condition of residents uncertain.
Abana said, “I have been getting information that Boko
Haram has attacked Chibok town again. Those that were
able to escape to a place where there are mobile networks
phoned me that the militants were shooting at people and
for now, we don’t know the number of those that have been
killed.
“I also learnt that the Army and the vigilante group have
responded to the attack and they are engaging the terrorists,
but for now, the situation is not clear. I believe within a day
or two, we would get a clear picture of the situation.”
Copyright PUNCH
www.punchng.com/news/boko-haram-militants-capture-chibok-again/

Boko haram should tell us if there’s hidden gold in
Chibok we don’t know about because it seems like they
love Chibok so much and why is the FG not doing enough
to secure Chibok since its people have gone through alot
this year alone.