Local hunters and Civilian JTF forces yesterday reclaimed the commercial border town of Mubi, Adamawa State, from Boko Haram insurgents, also recovering five Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) in the process, local and security sources have disclosed.
Mubi, the second largest town in the state, fell to the Islamic sect about two weeks ago after the insurgents drove away Nigerian troops and took over their barracks.
The victory recorded by the local hunters and Civilian JTF men has elicited jubilation and praise across the state as people gave a sigh of relief, and are hoping that the development marks the beginning of the end of insurgency in the state.
Dozens of the fleeing insurgents were reportedly killed by Nigerian troops who reportedly lay an ambush in anticipation.
Sequel to yesterday’s recapture of Mubi, about 75 insurgents were killed in Maiha town on Wednesday by local hunters who wounded hundreds of other insurgents and arrested many others.
Unconfirmed reports, however, said the whereabouts of the sect’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, who was believed to be in the town when the hunters struck, could not be ascertained.
Reports from Mubi indicate that the hunters have recaptured the 234 Army Battalion and other strategic security formations in the area which the insurgents overran when they seized the town, and were said to be advancing towards Michika and Madagali which are under the control of the insurgents.
Similarly, all the flags hoisted by the insurgents have been uprooted and replaced by Nigerian flags.
Residents said the palace of the Emir of Mubi, which had been converted to the spiritual headquarters of the sect, has now been taken retaken while the Boko Haram flags have been destroyed.
Meanwhile, the insurgents have beaten a retreat into the bush with the local fighters giving them a hot chase.
Adamawa Sate governor Bala Ngilari, who confirmed the development in Yola, said that “the insurgents have been flushed out of Mubi and are on the run,” attributing the success to a divine order.
“God is in this business of security in Adamawa State. You know in the last one week or so, the government has decided to be working with the vigilante group ‘Yan Baka’, local hunters and Civilian JTF. They have been working hand in hand with our security forces,” he said.
According to him, following the success recorded, the insurgents have been completely routed from Mubi and are running towards Askira, with the hunters chasing after them.
He said the Mubi feat followed a synergy between the Adamawa State government, military and paramilitary outfits, the local hunters and Civilian JTF operatives who all made significant contributions.
Ngilari thanked all those behind the success in flushing the insurgents from Mubi town, describing them as heroes who put their lives on the line to ensure that the state is freed.
Stating that normalcy will soon return to Mubi, the governor urged the people to go about their normal businesses.
“There should be no room for people to panic at all because this is the time to rejoice. We should also, in doing so, be sensitive to whatever information we come by. Our people who left should come back as there is no cause for panic. We have registered remarkable success and God is on our side. The good old days will be back,” Ngilari assured. Leadership.