- UN outraged “premises of several aid agencies and a hospital were reportedly set ablaze or sustained damage”
The Nigerian Army on Tuesday said it has “decisively routed elements of Boko Haram Terrorists and their Islamic State of West Africa Province(ISWAP) counterpart who attempted to infiltrate and attack Dikwa town in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State.”
The Army also described as “unsubstantiated,” reports on social media that the terrorists attacked the United Nations (UN) base in Dikwa, trapping 25 Aid workers.
Army Spokesperson, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, said “the terrorist groups who stormed the town in an unconfirmed number of gun trucks and motorcycles were visited with heavy bombardment and overwhelming firepower by troops of 81 Task Force Battalion with reinforcement from other formations of the Nigerian Army and aided by air support of Air Task Force Operation LAFIYA DOLE.
“The terrorists attempted to invade the town to loot food items and other logistics having got wind of the recent food distribution to residents of the town by the state governor, Professor Babagana Zulum.
“They came in their droves through the Marte axis but could not gain access to the town due to the combat readiness of troops who were positioned there. The terrorists subsequently lost initiative as they were cut off completely following the recent successful recapture of Marte town by the gallant troops.
“In desperation and to scare off residents from returning to their homes, they planted series of landmines on the roads which were also detected and successfully detonated by troops.
“Consequently, the Army Headquarters wishes to debunk the unsubstantiated reports on social media suggesting that the terrorists attacked UN Base in BORNO, trapping 25 Aid Workers as published by some outlets.
“Those false and sensational reports are clearly aimed at stirring up tension in the region and diminishing the glaring efforts and sacrifices of the Nigerian military in the fight against insurgency.
“The COAS, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, has commended the efforts of the gallant troops’ and the prompt response of the Air Task Force in providing air interdictions throughout the operation.”
Initial reports had said that Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists invaded Dikwa by 5:30 pm on Monday evening, targeting the offices of the aid workers, destroying government facilities including schools and hospitals belonging to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
The report also said that the terrorists abducted at least seven aid workers.
But the Nigerian Army ground troops with Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aerial cover, started battling to dislodge the terrorists from the town from the moment of their invasion Monday night.
A source said that the terrorists ambushed troop reinforcement from the nearby Ajiri town in the early hours of Tuesday, thus slowing the direct engagement and pushing out of the Boko Haram insurgents from the town.
Dikwa was attacked Monday evening, just about 48 hours after Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum left the town after spending three nights there.
Governor Zulum had left Maiduguri on Wednesday; a day after New Marte was liberated from the terrorists and proceeded to Dikwa. He stayed there till Saturday and then proceeded to Ngala, returning to Maiduguri on Sunday.
The invasion and taking over of Dikwa is symbolic as it was where Chief of Army Staff, major General Ibrahim Attahiru, visited the headquarters of the Army Super Camp 9 located in the town, and gave troops a 48-hour ultimatum to clear the terrorists from neighboring Marte Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, the invasion and takeover of Dikwa by terrorists has sparked anger in the social media with some describing it as “scandalous.”
UNCLE DEJI @DejiAdesogan reported: “Disturbing News again this morning on Dikwa town in Borno State, the Nigerian troops are presently locked in fierce combat with insurgents that has already infiltrated the town. Detailed situation report later.”
@DanBorno replied: “This is no battle. #BokoHaram have taken over Dikwa Town and soldiers have left long time ago. Already, BokoHaram are doing whatever they planned 2 do in Dikwa unhindered. Now that they are in Dikwa, it will be difficult for soldiers to fight back until they leave.
Muhammad @mysanda “I Don’t want to throw blames but the fall of Dikwa is scandalous and unwarranted. A lot needs to be done to shape and motivate the army.”
But the UN Resident Humanitarian Cordinator in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, has strongly condemned the on going attack and complete seige by insurgents on Dikwa town of Borno state.
In a statement issued Tuesday Kallon said, ” I am gravely preoccupied by reports of an ongoing violent attack by non-state armed groups in Dikwa, Borno State, during which several aid facilities were directly targeted. The attack started last night and, as information is still coming through, I am outraged to hear the premises of several aid agencies and a hospital were reportedly set ablaze or sustained damage.
“I strongly condemn the attack and am deeply concerned about the safety and security of civilians in Dikwa, including internally displaced people inside and outside camps and thousands of people who had returned to the community to rebuild their lives after years in displacement.”
Kallon further regretted that the on going violent attack of the rice town of Dikwa ” will affect the support provided to nearly 100,000 people who are desperately in need of humanitarian assistance and protection, particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic risks spreading in Borno State.
“Civilians and aid workers, their facilities and assets should never be a target. They must be protected and respected at all times. I call on all armed parties to immediately stop the violence and respect international humanitarian law and human rights law, and ensure the protection of civilians, humanitarian property and personnel.” Said Kallon.