Nigeria Vs Boko Haram - The Scores - Boko Haram now control 7 LGAs

As at the last count, the local government areas in Borno state under the control of the Islamic Sect, Boko Haram are: Gwoza, Gamboru-Ngala and Dikwa. There are also Madagali and Buni Yardi in Adamawa and Yobe states respectively. This brings the total number of LGAs the sect has hoisted its flags in the last one week to five. Our Investigations reveal that Gwoza, where the insurgents first occupied as a territory after they were chased out of Damboa town by the superior fire power of the Nigerian Army, is now a ghost town. The inhabitants have fled the town to the Cameroon mountains, with their live-stock, a situation that is similar to other local governments where the terrorists rule.

Former member, Borno state House of assembly, Mohammed Ashemi Gudiija, who reacted to this development in Maiduguiri at the weekend, said the entire nation is under risk of falling to the terrorists unless urgent and serious measures are taken to check their incursion. According to him, “it still beats my imagination that Nigerian troops that have been rescuing other African countries in war under the United Nation peace-keeping operations, are now being held hostage for a long time by the insurgency to the extent that the Soldiers were even running away. In short, we are in trouble, especially in Borno state where Boko Haram now controls some LGAs.”

Reacting to the hoisting of flags and establishment of caliphates in some parts of Borno State, some prominent Nigerians who spoke with newsmen expressed fear for the nation’s continued existence. Those who spoke said given the sect’s lifelong aim of forcefully making the country an Islamic nation, they may be emboldened especially in the face of weak resistance from the military to attempt consolidating their gains in other parts.