Residents, soldiers flee as ISWAP fighters attack Chibok

Civilians and soldiers fled yesterday as Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters attacked a community in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State.

It was learnt that the fighters came around 7pm to attack Kautukari village, some 15 kilometres away from Chibok town, shooting and razing houses.

A source said soldiers at the military Forward Operation Base (FOB) in

Kada, just 2km away from the village, were dislodged after a gun duel.

“Kautikari is under serious attack, they came in large number but they have dislodged military base in the area. They equally ambushed vigilantes’ operation but we are presently in the bushes now,” the vigilante source said.

Another member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) said villagers fled when the soldiers were overpowered.

“As we speak now, the soldiers tried to push them back but unfortunately they came in large numbers shooting at all angles, everyone is taking refuge in the bushes. I can’t ascertain the number of causalities now,” the source said

The attack happened hours after United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, paid his first visit to Nigeria. Guterres arrived Maiduguri, Borno State capital, in the afternoon as part of his Two-day official visit to Nigeria.

He interfaced with Governor Babagana Zulum, surrendered Boko Haram fighters and victims of insurgency.