Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) today said they had received more than 5,000 civilians who trekked from Monguno town in Borno State all the way to Maiduguri, the state capital.
The residents of Monguno fled their homes following yesterday’s attack and seizure of their town by Islamist terrorists. In the fierce operation, Boko Haram militants who are battling the Nigerian state, captured a major military base in Monguno, a town located 85 miles away from Maiduguri.
Most of the 1400 soldiers stationed in Monguno reportedly fled in the face of the militants’ relentless and superior firepower.
NEMA stated that more than 5,000 civilians displaced by the attack had arrived in the state capital Maiduguri in two batches. The agency’s northeast zone spokesman, Abdulkadir Ibrahim, said in a statement to newsmen that NEMA, in conjunction with the Borno State-run emergency management agency, had so far registered over 5000 internally displaced persons who fled Monguno and surrounding towns on foot for Maiduguri.
He disclosed that a government housing estate constructed by the state government within the city “has been converted into an IDP camp to cater for the influx.”
“Emergency workers provided water and medicaments to the IDPs on arrival. Initial needs assessment shows that tents, beddings and food items constitute the immediate needs of the IDPs. Efforts are in top gear to deliver the items to them before the day runs out,” Mr. Ibrahim said.
Our correspondent reported that hundreds of Monguno residents who trekked to Maiduguri were roaming the streets without knowing where to go. They include women, children, and the elderly.
One such fleeing resident, Hauwa Bukar, told our correspondent that she escaped and trekked with her four children, but bemoaned her husband’s unknown fate. “I didn't see my husband when we had to run away. Up till now, I don't know where he is. I left Monguno with four children. We slept in a bush yesterday. We are confused, no clothes, food, money and no husband,” she said in tears.