Boko Haram holds Bama as military pounds town

Boko Haram holds Bama as military pounds town

The battle for Bama, Borno State’s second largest town, which was seized by Boko Haram four days ago, got hotter yesterday.
Amid heavy bombardment, the military fought to recover the town.
Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adeshola Amosun, has relocated to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to coordinate the air strikes.
It was gathered that Boko Haram members have blocked all link roads to Bama.
The “push in” by troops had recorded what sources described as “modest gain” but the military was yet to reclaim the town by last night.
A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The insurgents were still holding on to Bama, they are still in charge. Typical of rag-tag insurgents, they are holding on to the last straws.
“But the troops are gaining upper hand through heavy air strikes. We are mostly fighting the battle in the air in Bama and Gwoza.
“The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adeshola Amosun, is personally supervising the aerial battle having relocated to Maiduguri from Abuja since Friday. This underscores the importance attached to the air strikes.
“With aerial bombardment, we are hopeful that the troops launching the “push in” will finally take over the town.
“The insurgents are feeling the air strikes, they are suffering huge losses. From intelligence report, the bombardments have become unbearable for them and they might vacate the place within the next 24 to 48 hours.
“What we need to do now is for troops to gain access by land to Bama and dominate the place. We will reclaim these two towns.”
Also yesterday, the military moved fast to unravel the circumstances surrounding the reported desertion of another 400 soldiers.
Cameroon’s military claimed yesterday that the Nigerian soldiers are seeking refuge in the country after fleeing from battle with Boko Haram militants in Borno State.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), sources said, is trying to reach commanders at the “battle front” and may contact Cameroon for details of the matter.
Though the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, was said to have told the military high command that there was no case of desertion, the DHQ is determined to ascertain the veracity of the claim.
A source said: “The Defence Headquarters is looking into the claim by Cameroonian Army which is yet to get in touch with us.
“So far, the GOC and other officers have claimed that no such incident was reported by troops at the battle front. We have asked them to crosscheck.
“We are trying to link up with various units and Cameroon to ascertain the veracity of a report by an international medium.
“If it is true, this is the worst form of desertion and it is wrong. If it is true, we are suspecting that the way the first desertion was reported might have encouraged this batch.”
Cameroon state radio, the soldiers arrived at the Cameroonian border town of Amchide, where they handed their weapons to military officials.
Cameroon military spokesman Colonel Didier Badjeck told the Voice of America (VOA) that the soldiers were accepted in the spirit of fighting Boko Haram alongside Nigerian forces.
Speaking in French, Badjeck described challenging situations in war that cause troops to flee, adding that Cameroon had demonstrated that it is a nation that assumes its responsibility to those in harm’s way.
Last week 480 Nigerian soldiers crossed over to Cameroon, ostensibly in “hot pursuit of Boko Haram militants.” Two-hundred forty-six of them have since returned to Nigeria, Badjeck said.
The DHQ said the development was a tactical manouevre but has made no comment on the latest movement of soldiers across the border.
In May, Cameroon’s Information Minister said President Paul Biya and President Goodluck Jonathan, had been communicating as part of a collaborative effort to defeat Boko Haram by sharing intelligence and allowing troops to pursue militants across borders if necessary.
Last night, the Federal Government directed massive supply of relief materials to more than 30,000 displaced persons from Bama who are in Maiduguri.
A team from the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) will deliver the relief items on today.