ISWAP kills four, thousands of residents fleeing their homes

Thousands of residents fled their homes after Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists invaded another military Brigade on the fringe of Lake Chad Basin on Monday morning, sources said.

It was gathered that the terrorists came in large numbers and dislodged the troops after a fierce gun battle in New Marte,  Marte local government area, on the fringe of the Lake Chad Basin region on Monday.

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According to an eyewitness account, the terrorists are now in control of the town as thousands fled to Dikwa town, some 27 kilometres away.

He told Business Day that the invaders overpowered and overran the Brigade, and Women and children are currently being sheltered in the town.

“They came around 1 am on Monday, shooting in all directions and shouting Allah Akbar, and the operation lasted until 3:30 am.

“We slept in the bush, and many residents are trapped as we speak. They have taken over the military base and carted away their arm and ammunition.

Another security source said at least four soldiers were killed and unspecified numbers wounded in the Marte local government area of Borno State.

The source added that they have overpowered the troops, “We just arrived Maiduguri around 1:30pm, we have reacaptured the military Brigade in domicile in Lake Chad Authority Development headquarters in New Marte today.

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“More than five thousand residents’ fate is unknown because thousands slept in the bush, and large numbers arrived in Dikwa early this morning, while thousands of women and children are trapped in New Marte,” a security source said.