Boko Haram gains major victory as its fighters seize Mobbar Local Government Area headquarters

BOKO Haram insurgents have recaptured large swathes of territory from the Nigerian Army in Borno State after their fighters successfully took over the town of Damasak that serves as the headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area without any opposition.

Since 1999, Boko Haram have been waging a war against the Nigerian state and at one stage in 2016, the terrorist sect controlled 17 local government areas in Borno State. Although the Nigerian Army have since regained control of most of this territory, Boko Haram has remained very active in Borno State, carrying out sporadic raids against towns and villages.

Yesterday, the terrorist sect made a significant gain as its fighters invaded Damasak and wreaked havoc without being confronted by security forces. Armed insurgents burnt down the divisional police headquarters, schools, shops and residential houses and hoisted their flags in strategic locations in the town.

In a bloody orgy of violence, the insurgents also burnt down most humanitarian hubs and facilities as they looted medical consumables at the General Hospital Damasak. About 180 km drive from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, Damasak is a border community just south of Niger Republic.

Hon Mustapha Bunu Kolo, the chairman of Mobbar Local Government Area, said: “Yes, there was another devastating Boko Haram attack in Damasak. Although I am not in Damasak, as I travelled out for official engagement but based on the information at my disposal, the insurgents invaded the town around 5pm and are still holding ground as at this time.

"The insurgents have succeeded in razing the remaining humanitarian hubs, market, shops and an unspecified number of residential houses, as they detonated their improvised explosive devices (IEDs) without confrontation. I was also informed that many people lost their lives in the attack but I don’t have the actual number of casualties as the insurgents are still much around continue wreaking havoc on innocent civilians.”