Breaking: Boko haram fighters Closing in on Garkida Town in 9 trucks, Member Reprrsenting Gombi Cries Out

Daily Rendezvous

The lawmaker representing Gombi Constituency in the Adamawa state house of  assembly, Japhet Kefas, has called for immediate military intervention in Garkida to forestll a possible second attack by the Boko haram insurgents on Garkida.

Kefas said local sightngs suggests that some Boko Haram fighters have been spotted in 9 trucks around kalamba, in the outskirts of Garkda, Saturday evening.

He explained that the sightings has triggered panic and unrest in the community adding that movements was similar to the kind which the insurgents made in the attack on Garkida on the eve of Christmas.

Japhet said, his community would not be care free with the information on the movements of the insurgents, because it was in a similar  manner that the insurgents operated on the eve of Christmas, resulting in the deaths of six persons.

Kefas said, " Information has just reached us now that Boko Haram men are mobilizing themselves to Garkida for another attack.

"Now we are mobilizing hunters to Garkida to repel, another possible attack.

"We are working keenly to deploy vigilantes and hunters to Garkida town, the logistics is quite demanding to carter for the hunters who will be camped in the town for sometime."

Kefas disclosed that, "The casualty from the attacks by insurgents on Garkida on Christmas Eve was six instant deaths and it is still not yet clear if the two persons abducted by the insurgents are dead or alive.

"A search party made up of hunters and civilian JTF, have been deployed to search for the two young men abducted by the insurgents and they are yet to be found.  

"Due to similarities of the mode of operation adopted by the insurgents, our communities would not afford to joke with this available information on the sighting of the insurgents in nine trucks heading for Garkida.

"There's need for precaution, and we have notified all relevant security agencies about the possibility of a second  attack by the insurgents on Garkida town because of awkward movements reminiscent of the first attack on the eve of Christmas, resulting in the death of six persons.

"We can't count the casualties but there were six instant deaths; 

"A fourteen year old girl and one vigilante are receiving treatment for gunshot wounds sustained in the attacks. 

"The attackers burnt trucks, pay loaders, heavy trucks meant for the construction of Gombi- Garkida and Biu Township roads. 

"They also burnt a bus loaded with wrappers, looted shops and houses and set the vigilante and military dent in Garkida ablaze."

Attacks by Boko Haram elements on Garkida, a town located at the foot of Mandara mountains, exploited by insurgents in the guerrilla warfare, have witnessed recurring attacks, particularly during festive periods. 

Early this year attacks by the insurgents left scores killed while churches, hospitals and telecommunication infrastructure in the town were destroyed. 

It was one of the worst attacks carried out by insurgents since the recapture of the town from the insurgents in 2014, following the capture of Gombi, Michika, Maiha, Mubi North, Mubi South and Hong by insurgents.