by Godwin Akanfe

The Nigerian Army on Monday engaged Boko Haram insurgents in a bloody battle in Gamboru, a town which borders Cameroon’s Extrême-Nord province.

The insurgents had attacked the town early Monday, shooting sporadically before attacking the military base and police stations as well as other government installations, forcing residents, and soldiers to flee into Cameroon.

Local sources said that the army was forced to beat a retreat into Cameroon, an event which the Defence Headquarters described as a “tactical manoeuvre” but were to later launch a counter-offensive against the insurgents with the help of the Cameroonian Army.

Some of our sources claimed that the army initially stood their ground, and were on top of the situation before running out of ammunition. The soldiers then retreated into Cameroon and later returned with Cameroonian Forces.

One person who did not want to be identified said, “As I am speaking to you we are still hearing sound of gunshots miles away meaning they are still fighting.”

An elderly woman, also craving anonymity, spoke on phone from Cameroon, saying : “I had to run into Cameroon when the shooting was becoming so loud in part of the town and as I am talking to you, I do not know when I will be going back home.”

She disclosed that she saw many corpses when she was fleeing to Cameroon.

The army said was still engaging the terrorists, and confirmed that the battle was really fierce.

YEditor