Nigerian Soldiers, ISWAP in Gun Battle in Borno, Residents Flee, Deputy Speaker Reacts
- The military base in Askira/Uba local government area of Borno state is being attacked on Saturday, November 13 by ISWAP terrorists
- Troops of the Nigerian Army were, however, on ground to repel the attack, leading to an ongoing exchange of gunfire
- A member of the Civilian JTF, Yakubu Luka, appeals to the authorities to send fighter jets to support the ground soldiers
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Askira/Uba LGA - Suspected Islamic State of West Africa Province(ISWAP) terrorists are currently in a gun battle with troops of the Nigerian Army at a military base in Askira/Uba local government area of Borno state.
Daily Trust cited some residents as saying they saw the terrorists in a long convoy of gun trucks along Ngude axis towards Askira, in the early hours of Saturday, November 13.
Source: Getty Images
The civilians claimed they reported the movement of the terrorists to security forces but no action was taken before the deadly group stormed Askira town hours later.
State legislator confirms attack
Meanwhile, the development has been confirmed by Abdullahi Musa Askira, the deputy Speaker of Borno state House Assembly.
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He said the insurgents and troops are currently exchanging gunfire.
His words:
“Yes, ISWAP is currently attacking Askira town. I was reliably informed that our troops are fighting them, but the residents are in the bush.
“My people told me that the insurgents came with about 16 gun trucks and there is confusion in the whole town now."
Member of civilian JTF speaks
A member of Civilian JTF, Yakubu Luka, said immediately the attackers stormed the town, they went to the military base.
He said they were expecting a reinforcement from the nearby community.
Luka also appealed to the authorities to send fighter jets to support the ground soldiers.
"We are outnumbered; we only have five gun trucks with us,” Yakubu said.
Meanwhile, another resident quoted by Daily Sun, Adamu Saleh, said the "situation is bad but the insurgents’ are withdrawing now."
Askira is said to be about 151 kilometres south of Maiduguri, the state capital.
Borno deputy speaker opens up on how ISWAP fighters burnt his brother’s house
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the deputy speaker of Borno state House of Assembly, Askira, decried an attack on his brother's house by some insurgents.
He said some ISWAP fighters attacked his community and burnt his elder brother's house. Abdullahi Askira said his late brother's house was burnt by some insurgents.
The lawmaker said that his brother's house located in Chan Chan Dana Community in Askira Uba local government area was completely razed by the insurgents on Wednesday, November 10.
Source: Legit.ng
