Askira town in Askira Uba Local Government Area (LGA) in Southern Borno State, Northeast Nigeria, is currently under Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists’ siege.
Specifically, the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists are currently in a gun duel with Armed Forces of Nigeria troops at a military base in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources confirmed that the terrorists were sighted in a long convoy of gun trucks along Ngude axis towards Askira, early Saturday morning.
Some civilians claimed they reported the movement of the terrorists to Nigerian security forces but that no action was taken before the deadly group stormed Askira town hours later.
While confirming the attacks, Engr Abdullahi Musa Askira, Deputy Speaker of Borno House Assembly, stated that the terrorists and troops are currently exchanging gunfire.
According to Engr Askira, “Yes, ISWAP is currently attacking Askira town. I was reliably informed that our troops are fighting them, but the residents are in the bush.
“My people told me that the insurgents came with about 16 gun trucks and there is confusion in the whole town now.”
A member of Civilian-JTF, Yakubu Luka, said immediately the attackers stormed the town, they went to the military base.
“We are expecting a reinforcement from the nearby community, as I am speaking with you heavy gunfire is ongoing.”
“We are appealing to the authorities to send fighter jets to support the ground soldiers. We are outnumbered; we only have five gun trucks with us.” Yakubu said.
As the sporadic gunshots of the terrorists are fired in their bid to take control of military base and the town, they are also destroying several masts as residents sought refuse in the bush.
The causality figures could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report.