The insurgent group, Boko Haram, has expanded its territory by taking over Gulak, a town in Adamawa, an official has said. The insurgents had earlier taken over Gwoza, Bama, and some other parts of neighbouring Borno State.
The Secretary to the Adamawa State Government , Liman Tukur, confirmed that the insurgents had taken over Gulak, the headquarters of Madagali Local Government Area of the State.
Mr. Tukur stated this in a statement he signed and made available to journalists in Yola on Saturday.
The statement said the insurgents had killed and displaced many people in the town during their attacks.
“It has come to the attention of the Adamawa State Government that insurgents are now in Gulak, the headquarters of Madagali Local Government Area and had killed and displaced scores of people.
“On behalf of the people and government of Adamawa, his Excellency deeply sympathises with the people of Gulak and other surrounding villages and towns whose areas had been overran by insurgents.
“The concomitant effects of the insurgency like displacement of whole villages and towns create multitudes of internally displaced persons whose management and welfare, the government is left to bear,” the official said.
Mr. Tukur, a professor, said the Adamawa Government would do as much as possible to assist the displaced persons.
He said the State Emergency Management Agency in conjunction with the National Emergency Agency, NEMA, had been directed to hasten assistance to the displaced persons.
Meanwhile, reports from Michika, headquarters of Michika Local Government, which borders Madagali Local Government Area, said residents of some villages were fleeing to Uba, Mubi and Yola towns for fear of possible attacks.
The Nigerian military had on Friday appealed for cooperation and understanding from Nigerians as the insurgents activities worsened despite the state of emergency imposed on Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe since May last year.
“While welcoming all the concerns shown by Nigerians and a section of the international community following the increased menace and activities of terrorists, it is necessary to reassure all that the Nigerian Armed Forces is more than ever determined and committed to the defense of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria, regardless of any odd”, the military spokesperson, Chris Olukolade, said in a statement.
(NAN)
