Monday, September 1, 2014
According to a security source who preferred anonymity, about 200 insurgents had invaded the town but fell to the superior weapon handling and war tactics of the soldiers.
He said over 30 insurgents were also left injured with various bullet wound as the majority of the terrorist were compelled to retreat through the bush while others sped via the highway.
Some residents of Bama, who spoke to journalists in Maiduguri, said they woke up early Monday morning to heavy bombardment as gunshots the air.
“Everyone was thrown into pandemonium as we continue to hear deafening gunshot and we are later to hear that over 200 Boko Haram terrorists attempted to capture the town.
"We also learnt that they stormed the town through Bama-Banki-Gwoza Road but they were intercepted by gallant military troops near the Bama Mobile Police Unit located about 5 kilometers away from the center of the town” a resident explained.
He said they were believed to have tactically attempted to enter Bama town in a convoy of military vehicles and motorcycles, dressed in military uniform and armed with sophisticated weapons and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The resident added that during the battle, gunshots were heard and there was heavy sound of explosion from rocket propelled grenades as well as bombs.
He said the explosions which rent the air made many residents fled the town through the bush and some by road or vehicles to neighbouring Villages and towns including Maiduguri and Konduga.
Another resident of Bama, Malam Mohammed Bunu Ahmed, confirmed the disturbances.
"There was an attempt by the insurgents to enter Bama and capture it as they did to Gwoza few weeks back but thank God for the good efforts of the military troops stationed near the mobile police unit who repelled the attack with the assistance of their colleagues from the 21 Brigade of the Army who gallantly succeeded in repelling them after successful killing over 59 insurgents and injuring over 30."
He said the whole episode was "so scaring" such that many locals had to flee to Maiduguri for safety.
