Boko Haram: Sustained Artillery Fire Scares Residents in Gwoza, As Report Reveals ISWAP Gathering near Biu in Borno

Boko Haram: Sustained Artillery Fire Scares Residents in Gwoza, As Report Reveals ISWAP Gathering near Biu in Borno

By: James Bwala

Reports reaching NEWSng from Gwoza local government area of Borno state in North-east Nigeria on Friday revealed that at about 8:00pm yesterday, residents of Gwoza were in panic following a sustained artillery firing of the forty-barrel guns.

However, aid workers and other civilians in the area were asked to calm down as the firing was to send signals to suspected ISWAP elements said to be gathering at some point away from the town.

This is also following rumour earlier that fighters from the ISWAP faction are planning to attack the Police Training School in Limankara in Gwoza.

Gwoza about 180km from Maiduguri the Borno state capital remains a hotbed for insurgency despite liberation by Nigerian security forces.

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It could be recalled that earlier this week, some elements of the Islamic State for West African Province, ISWAP suffered heavy casualties when they attempted to ambush military on patrol along the axis of the former Boko Haram Caliphate.

A top security official who left Gwoza town this morning (Friday) confirmed that there was no issue in Gwoza when he started out to reach Maiduguri. According to him, Gwoza is safe.

Asked on the rumour of attack on the Police Training School in Limankara, the officer who did not wish to be named said he was not aware of such an incident as Limankara is in the outskirts of Gwoza town.

“You may wish to check with the police but as far as I am concerned, if there is such information I am supposed to know before leaving Gwoza this morning. But I am not saying it is possible as everything is possible with the current situation in the northeast.” He said.

NEWSng could not reached the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sani Mohammed for comments as he could not pick his calls or reply to the calls put through seeking clarification on the rumour claiming abduction of some Police Officers currently said to be engaged in training at the Gwoza Hills Training School in Borno state.

Meanwhile, security reports filtering around Biu local government area of Borno state revealed that, ISWAP elements were seen gathered along Maiduguri, Damboa road in the southern part of Borno state with an aim to possibly launched an attack on some villages and Biu township according to the security report.

Biu, which is 187km from Maiduguri the Borno state capital had enjoyed peace until recently when ISWAP attacked Army University Campus in Buratai town killing two staff members.

The report reveals that the ISWAP elements were seen at Sabon Gari and Wajiroko areas along the local government area. Other group of Terrorists belonging to the ISWAP were also said to have been seen gathering at Kafa and Ajigil villages of Damboa local government area of Borno state.

Boko Haram: Sustained Artillery Fire Scares Residents in Gwoza, As Report Reveals ISWAP Gathering near Biu in Borno