Thousands flee homes as insurgents storm Maiduguri

Thousands of Maiduguri residents fled their homes following an invasion of a part of the Borno State capital by suspected Boko Haram insurgents yesterday evening.

The insurgents rode in large utility vehicles and motorcycles and stormed the Polo area through Molai axis about 5:25pm, shooting sporadically for about an hour.

Some of the residents who spoke with Daily Trust frowned upon the military for allegedly running away from their duty posts instead of defending the helpless women and children in the city.

A resident of Njunmari, Abdul Manga, insisted the soldiers did not respond in time to the attackers.

He said, “I left my house when I saw soldiers running away from insurgents. In fact I boarded the same Keke NAPEP with one of the soldiers because there was pandemonium everywhere. Thousands of women, children and aged persons were crying and trekking from Polo towards Old GRA, Damboa Road and Madinagari area. There was gridlock at the metropolis as a result of the crowds.”

Another resident, Muhammed Baba, said the military’s response was late, after the attackers had come and gone.

“It was unbelievable that insurgents could enter Maiduguri and go back unchallenged. The most annoying thing is that they prevented us from entering our area to evacuate our families,” Baba said.

Our reporter who visited Polo area at 18.35hrs was asked to go back. Countless civilians were trekking with bags on their heads.

However, the troops started firing artillery guns, mortal and other weapons at 6:47pm in Molai and this lasted till 8:13pm.

A statement released by the Deputy Director Army Public. Relations, Colonel Kingsley Samuel, asked the general public not to panic but to discountenance “rumours” of Boko Haram presence.

The statement said, “You are further enjoined to please remain at home and be vigilant. The security situation in Maiduguri is under control.”