Boko Haram rebels occupies Damasak as residents flee to Niger

Boko Haram marksmen are currently occupying the Borno town of Damasak, two days after they organised a second attack in five days.

In the first attack on 10 April, the Boko Haram rebels murdered two soldiers and two civilians, as well as damaging the facilities of worldwide humanitarian agencies.

They simply withdrew and came back on Tuesday to the border town, to perpetrate more destruction.

They raged the town at about 5pm, shooting intermittently and also armed with anti-aircraft guns and mounted on vehicles.

Three soldiers who did not want to be named, confirmed the attack.

It was gathered that the insurgents murdered no less than ten people and made hundreds flee to the Republic of Niger, just about five kilometres away.

The local government official, Bukar Mustapha, said, “Boko Haram men are still at Damasak.

“Ten residents were killed in attacks on Tuesday. Our people have fled to villages in Niger while some are trapped in the bush.”

Inhabitant Mustapha Gashigar stated that eight individuals had been buried, but other bodies had not been found, and 17 were severely wounded.

Gashigar disclosed that hundreds of people had fled Damasak.

Boko Haram and its branch, Islamic State West Africa Province, have not claimed responsibility for the recent attack.

Meanwhile, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed responsibility for the 10 April attack.