“Thousands of people who were displaced and spent some years in resettlement camps in Maiduguri recently returned home after the liberation of those surrounding communities by our gallant security forces.”
Boko Haram insurgents on Saturday dislodged troops and recaptured Gudumbali town, the headquarters of Guzamala Local Government Area in the northern part of Borno State.
Hundreds of displaced residents who had only returned to the town a few weeks ago were fleeing their homes in Gudumbali on Friday night when the terrorists attacked troops.
A source in Borno told SaharaReporters that many civilians and soldiers took refuge in Gubio while the insurgents raided the town.
“Last night, there was sporadic shooting everywhere as the insurgents shouted ‘Allah is Great!’” the source said on the phone from Gubio.
“Boko Haram has dislodged troops and they are currently in Gudumbali, the headquarters of Guzamala LGA HQ.”
A second source, one familiar with the operations of the military in Borno, confirmed the attack, saying: “It is true. The attacks began yesterday and Boko Haram finally retook Gudumbali from the Army.”
Usman Mamman Durkwa, Deputy Governor of Borno State, also confirmed the development, telling SaharaReporters: “Thousands of people who were displaced and spent some years in resettlement camps in Maiduguri recently returned home after the liberation of those surrounding communities by our gallant security forces.
“However, I regret to confirm to you that there was another attack by insurgents on Gudumbali, even though I am yet to get the number of casualties.
Gudumbali is the same town where, in July, Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff, unveiled a cenotaph in remembrance of the 144 officers and soldiers who fell to Boko Haram in a single swoop in November 2015.
The Gudumbali attack is still considered one of the deadliest single casualties of the military in the ongoing Boko Haram war.
The victims were among a battalion of 750 soldiers who suffered the shock reprisal attack after fighting for four days through a heavily fortified rank of Boko Haram.
