Again, Clashes Between Nigerian Troops, ISWAP Resume In Geidam
ISWAP returns to Geidam, Yobe State after a previous hours-long siege between Friday and Saturday
There is an ongoing firefight between Nigerian troops and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents in Geidam, Yobe State, Northeast Nigeria.
The terrorists returned to Geidam town hours after they had withdrawn following more than 24-hours siege on the town, starting on Friday, April 23.
HumAngle learnt Sunday morning that Nigerian troops and the insurgents are currently engaged in fierce clashes following a fresh incursion. Some Residents of Geidam have already been displaced by the incursion. There is fear that the number of insurgents in the garrison has increased.
Although the Nigeria Army on Saturday, April 24 said, it inflicted heavy casualties on ISWAP fighters during the previous incursion, a federal lawmaker disputed the claim.
Premium Times had reported that Lawan Shettima, the lawmaker representing Geidam, Yunusari and Bursari Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, said the insurgents were still in control of Geidam town.
“Authoritatively I can tell you that these insurgents have taken over Geidam. You can see the videos and the pictures as they move about burning what they want,” Shettima said.
The lawmaker also said his constituents “have been under the mercy of Boko Haram for more than 24 hours without any credible challenge.”
“My people are helpless, you can’t imagine that as a full Nigerian citizen you can be at the mercy of Boko Haram for the past 24 hours and nobody cares to do anything about it. They will send a jet that will go and bomb innocent people instead of Boko Haram. This is the kind of thing that is going on now.”
He lamented that “the military formation that is stationed there does not care to react to what is happening or to counter them. The military is sitting at the western side of the town while Boko Haram are busy moving around town destroying government structures and other things belonging to our people, attacking or harassing innocent people sent out of their houses.”
“The only word I can use here is that people are helpless in their motherland. This is very terrible,” he added.
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