In Niger, Boko Haram Shows It Can Still Launch Major Attacks

A dire situation is brewing in the Diffa region of Nigeria’s neighbour, Niger. There is a mass exodus of people who are fleeing Boko Haram attacks.

The town of Bosso was sacked by the jihadists last Friday after they launched a major, frontal attack on a military post. Although 55 Boko Haram fighters were reportedly killed, the insurgents were formidable enough to kill 26 soldiers. Two of those soldiers were identified as Nigerian troops.

Now, the UN refugee agency says some 50,000 Bosso residents have fled their homes. Spokesman of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Adrian Edwards says those fleeing the attacks are traumatised and worried about their safety. “People are sleeping in the open and urgently need shelter and other assistance.”

A reporter narrated just how vicious and formidable the attack on Bosso was. “Boko Haram insurgents burnt down the military barracks, police facilities and the local administration office. After that they looted shops and carted away any food supplies they set their eyes on.”

Many of the displaced persons, according to the UNHCR official were trekking westwards to the town of Toumour which is some 30 kilometers to the west of Bosso. Some of the fleeing residents have moved on from Toumour and are heading towards the town of Diffa which is about 150 kilometres away. Those heading for Diffa are hoping to make it to the 10,000 capacity Internally Displaced Persons Camp.  Within the Diffa region, at least 240,000 people are displaced. Now, the urgency facing the UN, according to Edwards, is the welfare of the people who have been forced to flee Bosso.

In Nigeria, Boko Haram is believed to have been greatly decimated. Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad are co-operating in fighting the insurgents through a multi-national force.  The Nigerian Armed Forces, on their own, have recorded landmark victories over the Islamists. The Nigerian Federal government and Nigerians generally now believe that Boko Haram has been essentially defeated. This is way a lot of reconstruction and rehabilitation work is going on in the country’s insurgents – ravaged North-East.

Friday’s devastating attack on Bosso which lies close to Nigeria many well be a warning to both government and troops of the country that they cannot yet let down their guards. Boko Haram has revealed through that attack that it still exists and that it can still plan and launch direct and devastating attacks.