Boko Haram captures a border town in Nigeria, sending thousands of people to Cameroon

Residents and community leaders reported on Friday that more than 5,000 people had fled northeastern Nigeria into neighboring Cameroon after Boko Haram extremists took control of the border town of Kirawa in Borno state.

As the focal point of a 16-year insurgency led by Boko Haram and its splinter group Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), insurgents in Nigeria’s Borno state have increased their operations against security forces and civilians this year.

Since the beginning of the year, rebels have taken control of several Borno army bases and localities, but the military has fought them back when they have sought reinforcements.

Following the attack late Thursday, Abdulrahman Abubakar, the district chief, was forced to leave his palace, which was set on fire along with dozens of residences and a military barracks.

Abubakar called Reuters and said, “I had no choice but to flee to Cameroon.” “Residents boarded trucks to seek refuge across the border, while others ran to Maiduguri,” the capitol of the state.

A video of warriors setting fire to the barracks while yelling “victory belongs to God” as flames illuminated the night sky was released by Boko Haram, who claimed credit for the attack.

Locals claimed Kirawa was now abandoned. Saying, “Boko Haram is in control,” Dauda Hassan fled to Pulka, a nearby town with military installations.

The attack on Thursday came after Boko Haram militants on September 19 stormed a military camp in Banki, another border town, forcing soldiers to evacuate and capturing weapons.

Chief of the town’s development committee, Yakubu Mabba Ali Kirawa, demanded immediate military support. After a multinational military task group withdrew after an incident in August, he told Reuters that local citizens and vigilantes continue to be the only security presence.