Nigerian troops, mobile police unit advance towards Mubi to flush out Boko Haram

The Nigerian military and a mobile police unit have started advancing to the commercial border town of Mubi, Adamawa state.

The town along with some other communities in Adamawa and Borno states were taken over by Boko Haram in the last few weeks.

Sources say that the police unit, which appeared battle ready, was headed to the troubled area not only to flush out the terrorists but also to liberate Vintim, the home town of the Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, one of the communities currently under the control of Boko Haram.

One of the fleeing residents, Bitrus Gajere, said the mobile police special anti-terrorist unit had already reached Marraba Mubi Junction, about 18 kilometres from Mubi town.

Other reports say the Nigerian military backing the police unit and led by a colonel was at Pella Junction, 80 kilometres from Mubi.

Mr. Gajere expressed his happiness at the development.

“It may lead to the end of the trauma occasioned by the dismal performance of Nigerian troops who always flee whenever insurgents strike, leading to the fall of many towns and villages,” he said.

Two residents of Marraba Mubi, Yohanna Gambo and Sanda Zira, told reporters in Yola that they saw a detachment of mobile police officers keeping vigil at the junction leading to Mubi and Michika Local Governments.

“In fact, we are shocked and surprised to see a handful of mobile police officer because since the fall of Mubi, we have not seen a security man,” Mr. Gambo said. ...PremiumTimes