Cameroonian authorities have confirmed that the country’s military killed 30 suspected Boko Haram militants who attacked areas where 480 Nigerian troops had crossed over to during a battle with the insurgents.
Cameroon’s state radio reported yesterday that the troops beat back two attempts by suspected Boko Haram militants to enter the country’s northern territory through a locality that shares boundary with Nigeria.
Cameroon military spokesman Lt-Col Didier Badjeck told the Voice of America (VOA) that allegations made in Cameroonian media that the incident was a defection were unfounded, adding that they were particularly careful over the presence of the Nigerian soldiers as Boko Haram militants could also disguise as a regular army and attack them.
“People should support but allow the Cameroon army to handle the situation and fight Boko Haram as professional soldiers.
“We cannot neglect details in a war front and we are consequently examining any potential actions of Boko Haram,” he said.
“During a confrontation late Tuesday, the soldiers killed 14 insurgents, 16 were killed in an earlier attack on Monday,” he added.
Meanwhile, the insurgents have attacked Mirga town, Biu local government area of Borno State, and burnt down all communication masts.
It was also reported that a Toyota Land Cruiser jeep belonging to APC chieftain Alhaji Modu Kakas had been snatched at gun point by the insurgents.
A resident who confirmed the bloodless attack said, “When these people (Boko Haram) attack a place, they leave a trademark of death. When they come to your town and did not kill anyone, then you have to thank God and make sacrifice (sadakka).
“Those living in Borno State know the magnitude of killings meted on the innocent people by these people who are claiming to be doing the work of Allah.”
Death toll hits 30 as Fulani attack more Eggon communities in Nasarawa
The violent feud involving Eggon and Fulani communities in Nasarawa State took another dimension yesterday when Fulani attackers invaded Tudun Adabu, an agrarian town, in the morning which led to hours of fierce fighting leaving casualties on both sides.
One of those who fled the area when the Fulani were said to have invaded at about 10am, Esla Jatau, said there had been rumours since Monday morning of the impending attack by Fulani herdsmen, so women and children were evacuated before they struck about 10am.
Unlike their attack on Akunni and Ikposogye where they had a field day destroying homes and property because the residents of the villages had deserted their homes, the Fulani met stiff resistance from Tudun Adabu youths who engaged them in exchange of fire lasting several hours.
A victim who craved anonymity said at about 11am Fulani were seen carrying their dead and the injured heading towards Obi town. He added that rampaging youths had also barricaded Lafia-Obi road in search of Fulani commuters and, in the process, vandalized many cars.
The crisis, which started with the assault on a Fulani community penultimate Friday, has snowballed into an endless cycle of violence in the state where up to 30 people are feared to have lost their lives.
Mallam Abdullahi Shuiabu, from nearby Daddere community, said residents of the area had fled their homes for fear that the crisis may spread into their community which only last week witnessed the killing of four Gwandara men by Eggon youths.
The president of Eggon Cultural Development Association (ECDA), Mr Chris Mamman, said the series of attacks on Eggon communities was unprovoked, adding that it was not a case of Eggon fighting with Fulani but that of Fulani wreaking havoc on Eggon communities.
However, the secretary-general of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Abubakar Husseini, said the leadership of Fulani and Eggon communities in the state had reached an agreement on peace only for the Eggons to renege on the peace deal and provoke the ongoing faceoff.
Speaking on behalf of the Nasarawa State government, the senior special assistant on public affairs, Hon. Abdulhamid Kwarra, said government has made adequate provision for the internally displaced who are currently being camped in Wamba, Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon, Lafia and Obi local government areas.
He denied media reports that the fight was between the entire Eggon nation and the Fulani, noting that it is only the Ombatse faction of Eggon that was fighting the Fulani.
He called on residents of the state to remain calm and law-abiding , saying reprisal attacks would only fuel the crisis more. The state government, he said, is working round the clock to ensure that the carnage and destruction is halted.
10 perish in boat mishap
No fewer than 10 persons were said to have been killed as the boat they were traveling in capsized yesterday in Ebe village, Lokoja local government area of Kogi State.
The boat which carried over 100 passengers from the village, which is the home town of the former speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdulraham Dangana, was said to have sank into the River Niger as a result of heavy turbulence occasioned by alleged clash between the security patrol team and a boat conveying oil thieves called “bunkerers”.
According to a source, the security patrol were said to have chased a boat conveying drums of crude oil which was sighted on the River Niger at about midnight on Tuesday into River Burara.
The source further revealed that the unfortunate incident was as a result of the diversion by the passenger boat from the original channel on the River Niger to River Burara due to the alleged poor dredging of the River Niger by the National Inland Water Ways Authority, NIWA.
The passengers were said to be coming to Lokoja market from Ebe village in Kuba-North community in Lokoja.
Efforts to get the side of the general manager, corporate affairs of NIWA, Mr Tayo Fadile, proved abortive. He replied through a text message: “At meeting, will call you later”.
Jonathan, Obasanjo meet over insecurity, other issues
President Goodluck Jonathan and former president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo have met in respect of the worsening security situation in the country.
The two men met yesterday in Abuja to brainstorm on the issue. The visit was on the invitation of President Jonathan.
This was coming barely two days after the former president commended efforts of the federal and Lagos state governments on the efforts made to check the spread of Ebola virus.
But Obasanjo told newsmen, shortly after arriving in Abuja from Abeokuta, that it was purely on security matters.
“Yes, I can confirm that I met with Mr President on his invitation. In fact, he had wanted to come down to Abeokuta, but as a sign of respect to the Office of the President, I had to go. We had discussion on the country’s security issues and that is all.”
Obasanjo, who appreciated the invitation of the president, said he would continue to make himself available on national issues in the interest of peace and progress of the country.
On the Eggon/Fulani crisis in Nassarawa state, Obasanjo called on the governments of Benue and Nassarawa to ensure that peace is restored to the warring communities. He said Eggon and the Fulani must understand each other.
“There is no way such will not happen, but the two state governments should come up with lasting solutions. The farmers would want their crops to be protected, while the cattle men will also want their cattle to feed. So, the government should fashion out peaceful means to end the crisis,” Obasanjo stated.
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