Soldiers, Boko Haram locked in fierce battle near Lake Chad

THE recent resurgence of Boko Haram terrorists around Lake Chad region took a new dimension Monday evening with reports of fierce battle raging between the Nigerian Army and the insurgents.

Several unconfirmed sources reported that since Saturday, at least two towns have fallen to the terrorists while many soldiers lost their lives.

A Nigerian journalist based in the United Arab Emirates with closeness to Boko Haram, Ahmed Salkida said on his Twitter account as at 6 p.m on Monday that “Nigerian Army currently in a fierce battle with Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in Malumfatori.”

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The terrorists have also returned to Yobe state since they abducted about 105 school girls including Liya Sharibu.

Another account cited “very big developments happening in Nigeria right now as Islamic State West Africa (#ISWA) militants entered Yobe province and attacked the Buni Gabe town south-west of Maiduguri City.

“ISWA militants announced the killing of 17 Nigerian soldiers” on Saturday.

Also on Monday, the terrorists claimed that they again killed and wounded another 25 soldiers during an attack close to Gamboru town south of Lake Chad.

According to the Twitter account, SyriaYemenMaps reported that Boko Haram was boasting “something big is happening very soon in the area.”

The militants announced their full capture and control of Arege town in the Abadam district of Borno state East of Lake Chad, which made it the second captured town within one week.

There were fears that the Islamists are currently gaining an upper hand with reports Monday evening of another raging battle for another town in Borno state.

SyriaYemenMaps said “Very big developments happening in Nigeria right now: Islamic State West Africa (#ISWA) militants entered Yobe province and attacked the Buni Gabe town south-west of Maiduguri City.

“ISWA militants announced the killing of 17 Nigerian soldiers.

The terrorists were said to have conducted a huge offensive towards the village and retreated afterwards, however, the second wave of their attack made the Nigerian Army retreat from the town which resulted in the control of IS over the town.