Following a quit notice delivered by suspected Boko Haram rebels, around 2,000 residents in eight communities of Borno State’s Kaga Local Government Area have fled to Benishek, the LGA’s headquarters.
According to sources, the terrorists issued a warning to residents of the eight villages around ten days ago to leave within three days or risk absolute annihilation.
Terrorists invaded the communities approximately a week ago after the three-day ultimatum expired, chasing out inhabitants and killing dozens.
While fleeing, the villagers left behind their farm produce, on the stern warning of the terrorists. They, therefore, arrive at Benishek without any food.
The terrorists had accused the communities of betraying them by refusing to report to them about the recent operations of troops in which several of their combatants were killed.
“It is over one week now since the terrorists warned the villagers to vacate and while leaving, they should leave all their farm produce behind,” a resident of Benishek, Baba Goni, told newsmen in Maiduguri on Monday.
He identified some of the affected villages as Bololo, Ganga and Shuwari.
“The villagers have since been trooping to Benishek as IDPs with their families, and on their way to Benishek, they have to be manoeuvering through bush paths to avoid coming across the terrorists, who have already killed some of them.”
The Chairman of Sector 6 of the Borno State quasi-military vigilantes, Umar Harka, who also confirmed to attack to reporters aid, “About 2,000 have so far fled to Benishek.”
“Quite sure, they have been trooping to Benishek. “Right now a combined force of troops and members of the CJTF have been deployed to the area to comb the bush and trace the locations of the insurgents,” he added.