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Boko Haram threatens civilians to vacate homes in Borno – Army

Published

6 years ago

January 10, 2019

Boko Haram fighters have told civilians in northeast Nigeria to leave their homes , the army said on Thursday , as tensions mount in the long- running conflict .

Army spokesman Onyema Nwachukwu said there was “ credible information ” the jihadists had “ infiltrated some villages ” near the Borno state capital Maiduguri .

“ They have clandestinely been going about threatening innocent residents , warning them to vacate their homes , ” he said in a statement.

A member of the civilian militia told AFP earlier this week that Boko Haram had warned people in Jakana village to leave by Wednesday as they were going to launch a major attack .

On Wednesday , the army stepped up stop and search operations on the main road heading west out of Maiduguri , on which Jakana lies .

Warnings are also reported to have been given to locals in Mainok , which is on the same route leading to Damaturu , the capital of neighbouring Yobe state .

Nwachukwu described the threats as “ psychological war ” and urged residents to report suspicious activity .

Nigeria ’ s government and military has repeatedly claimed the Islamist militants have been weakened to the point of defeat but attacks have persisted .

On Wednesday , the United Nations said more than 30 , 000 people had fled their homes in the Baga area of northern Borno after attacks from an Islamic State group -backed Boko Haram faction .

The attacks were the latest against military installations and soldiers that have increased since July last year . The military has rejected suggestions the jihadists are resurgent .

AFP .