Boko Haram: Terrorists Made 4 Attempts In 5 Days To Capture Damasak In Borno – Resident

Residents and NGO workers in Damasak, a local government in northeast Nigeria’s Borno State, said the Islamic State of West African Province, ISWAP, has attempted to take over the town four times in the last five days.

Damasak is about 160 kilometers from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, and has been targeted by both ISWAP elements and the mother body, Boko Haram, which is headed by Abubakar Shekau, the spiritual leader.

According to some NGO staff in Damasak, the insurgents burned some NGO vehicles while fleeing from Nigerian troops after being overwhelmed in the fourth attempt in a series of four.

It may be recalled that rebels briefly took control of Damasak about two weeks ago, where they engaged Nigerian troops, resulting in a tactical withdrawal of soldiers.

After a four-hour battle in which 39 terrorists were killed, troops were able to retake the town.

Residents expressed their dissatisfaction with the terrorists’ desire to take control of Damasak and urged the Nigerian government and military to prepare for the next attack.

“We are tired of our local government’s constant attacks. After the last deadly attack in Damasak, the majority of our people have returned to IDP camps.

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Some of our personnel arrived in Maiduguri yesterday, and they were sharing their experiences following ISWAP’s four attempts to enter Damasak.

“We werDamasak ,e concerned because we know they will return, even though we are not praying for it, but everyone who knows Damasak and how they have been attempting to take over will be anticipating when they will return next.” Ma’aji Damasak, a displaced peoples’ leader in Maiduguri’s Bakassi IDP camp, said.