The sadly truth is that Nigeria’s militant Islamist sect Boko Haram has seized the key northeastern town of Bama after fierce fighting with government forces, says residents who spoke to BBC.
Hundreds of soldiers have have fled the town, along with thousands of civilians, they added.
However, military sources are claiming that the army was still in control of Bama, the second biggest town in Borno state.
Boko Haram had said it had established an Islamic state in the towns and villages it controls in north-east Nigeria. If confirmed, the capture of Bama would be an extremely significant development and would raise concerns that Boko Haram’s next target will be Maiduguri, the state capital about 70km (44 miles) away, says BBC Hausa service editor Mansur Liman in Abuja.
Residents told BBC Hausa Service that Boko Haram captured Bama, which the 2006 census showed had a population of about 270,000, after heavy fighting on Sunday and Monday.
The militants, who travelled in tanks and armoured trucks, have also seized the military barracks in the town...
Soldiers and residents fled on foot, many of them walking all the way to Maiduguri, residents told the BBC, according to PM News.
But security sources said the assault had been repelled and over 50 terrorists killed, news agencies report.
Defence Headquarters spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade, has however dismissed reports that Boko Haram has taken over Bama. On his Twitter account he wrote that an eyewitness stated that Nigerian troops repelled attacks to claim Bama.
“A witness, Mohammed Ahmed told Reuters: “There was an attempt by Boko Haram people to enter and capture Bama. But thank God for the efforts of the soldiers stationed near the mobile police unit who were able to repel them.” #Bama. Olukolade then later tweeted #Victory.
My dear Nigerians, our own na to sidon look o!
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