Boko Haram militants are presently locked in fierce combat with ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists in Dikwa, a local government in Borno State
The terrorists, it was learnt had stormed Dikwa town yesterday evening, on several gun trucks with the intention according to a military intelligence officer, to take over the entire local government and reclaim Dikwa as one of their caliphates.
Though they succeeded in razing a United Nations (UN) building and part of the Dikwa Emir’s palace, troops from 82 Battalion and other army formations in the state have been mobilised and deployed to engage the insurgents.
According to sources who spoke with our correspondent, the insurgents have also taken control of the United Nations hub.
“As I speak with you, there is still heavy gunfire going on between our military troops and the terrorists. Though the battle has lasted for over 15 hours, I cannot give you the exact number of casualties recorded on both sides,” a source confirmed.
Dikwa town is about 90km from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and has experienced several attacks from the insurgents since the liberation of the town in 2016.
The town also hosts the military Super Camp 9 where the Army Chief visited last week and gave the order for the retaking of Matte, which is about 20km away.
The attack on Dikwa came barely days after the military engaged the insurgents in a battle to retake Marte Local Government Area from the militants.
In another development, Boko Haram militants are also attacking Bukarti, Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The attack on Burkarti in Yunusari Local Government Area, about 200km from Damaturu, the state capital is coming barely 24 hours after residents reported strange movement and gathering of suspected militants in the area.
