…Razes secretariats, residential buildings …Pulls out hours after taking control …Attack targeted at troops —Army By Kingsley Omonobi & Ndahi Marama MAIDUGURI—

Boko Haram has pulled out of two local government areas in Borno State, Gubio and Magumeri, hours after taking control of them on Wednesday evening in coordinated attacks. Boko Haram Vanguard gathered that the insurgents, yesterday morning, withdrew from the areas, which have had no military presence for sometime now. Gubio and Magumeri local government areas have no military presence as troops were withdrawn recently for routine operational changes as enshrined in the military’s rules of engagement Our correspondent gathered that hundreds of thousands of residents have been displaced, while others are under the captivity of insurgents, especially those who chose not to flee the attacks. In Gubio, the insurgents invaded the council headquarters, shooting sporadically, instilling fears in scores of residents and setting houses ablaze. Scores of people sustained injuries as they fled the areas. Confirming the incident, Caretaker Chairman of Gubio Local Government Area, Zanna Gubio, said the insurgents stormed Gubio town at about 6pm, performed their magrib prayers at about 6:30pm and wreaked havoc on innocent civilians. According to him, they set houses and other public buildings, including the secretariats of the two local governments on fire without confrontation. Gubio said: “It is unfortunate that a week after deadly attack that took place in Gubio, which led to the withdrawal of troops, another group of armed insurgents stormed Gubio town at about 6pm, performed their magrib prayers at about 6:30pm in Gubio mosque beReacting to the attacks, yesterday, the Nigerian Army in a statement by Col Sagir Musa, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, said: “The attention of the Nigerian Army in the Theatre of Operation Lafiya Dole has been drawn to reports on various media platforms indicating attack on Gubio and Magumeri communities in Borno State at about 17.35hrs (5.35pm) of Wednesday, August 21, 2019. “To avoid further misinformation that could create unnecessary tension, the Theatre Command wishes to state that the attack was targeted at Nigerian Army troops deployed in the areas to enable the terrorists gain access to shops in the market in the towns to loot food items and other logistics. “The attack was, however, repelled by the troops. Consequently, due to fierce exchange of fire, the terrorists were forced to withdraw in disarray from the town, resulting in damage on buildings and property along their route of withdrawal. “There was no casualty on the security force (troops) and no loss or damage to our equipment as wrongly insinuated on social media. “However, a vigilante sadly lost his life in a cross fire. Also, some civilians in the area reportedly sustained various degrees of injuries. “Peace has so far been restored in the communities, with residents going about their lawful businesses. “The Nigerian Army once again call on all well-meaning members of the public to collaborate with the military and other security agencies in the area of sharing of information and suspicious movement of criminals in their communities to proactively deal with criminal activities.”


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/08/boko-haram-recaptures-2-borno-lgas/