The Nigerian Army reportedly abandoned its positions at checkpoints on Wednesday when a group of Boko Haram insurgents advanced on Shuwa, Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa state.
The soldiers were reportedly intimidated by the size of the number of insurgents and abandoned their posts for fear of loss of life and/or limbs.
A pastor who was at the scene told Agence France Presse, “When the soldiers at the military checkpoints saw the number of the attackers, they retreated into the nearby bushes as the gunmen operated without challenge during the operation that lasted throughout the night.”
The head of a nearby Christian Secondary School upon hearing gunshots advised the pupils to run into the bushes in order to avoid being killed by the terrorists.
The terrorists did eventually arrive at the school and set the place ablaze because they did not find students there.
In the Michika Local Government Area of the state, it was learnt that the terrorists arrived in nine vans, shooting and throwing explosives.
An eyewitness said they burnt three banks, a police station, shops and part of the Local Government secretariat.
Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako said the attacks ridiculed President Jonathan’s remarks that the military was winning the war against terror in the country.
Meanwhile the Defense Headquarters has said that it is employing a new tactic to stop Boko Haram attacks, which ironically includes chasing the terrorists to prevent their escape.
irector of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said during a news conference in Abuja on Thursday,
“The purpose of this briefing is to intimate you with the elevation of counter terrorism campaign in the country. The new approach marks another phase in the operations designed to further contain the terrorists and their activities.
“The specialised campaign which has commenced is being undertaken simultaneously in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states. This operation is also in furtherance of efforts at apprehending the terrorists and ensuring they do not escape out of Nigeria as they are now desperate to do.
“Unfortunately, however, they have in the course of their flight towards various borders, continued to perpetrate mayhem as noticed in some parts of Adamawa State yesterday (Wednesday), where they attacked communities.
“In desperation for money and food, they looted and burnt banks, shops and filling stations along their way through Michika as they headed for the Camerounian border.”