The military on Monday chased out insurgents who tried to enter Michika, a commercial town in Adamawa State, after a fierce battle that raged for hours.
Some residents of Michika said that they started hearing gunfire and explosions around 7 p.m. on Michika- Lassa road as the insurgents, who approached the town, were confronted by the military.
“We are hearing gunshots and the fight is raging on,” a resident of Michika who simply identified himself as Idris, said.
“Pray for us; Boko Haram are trying to enter Michika,” another resident, Teri, said.
John Jigalambu, a resident of Bazza, a village near Michika, said they could hear gunshots and most residents in the village had escaped to avoid the attackers.
Confirming the incident, the Adamawa State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, said the military was on top of the situation.
According to Sajoh, the insurgents, who entered through Kirchinga village in neigbouring Madagali local government, were being chased out by the military which had deployed reinforcement.
“They burnt the First Bank in Michika and some shops,” Sajoh said.
Meanwhile, an army spokesman has confirmed the killing of Col. Mohammed Barack, the Garrison Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade of Nigerian Army in Shadawanka Barracks, Bauchi,
Unidentified gunmen killed the officer on Sunday. It was not clear whether he was killed by bandits or assassins.
However, a source said he was killed by insurgents
Barack, who was riding a power bike, was shot on Jos-Bauchi highway, while returning from Kaduna. The officer hailed from Kano State.
The spokesperson of 33 Artillery Brigade, Major Yahaya Nasir Kabara, confirmed the shooting.
“Yes, it’s true,” he said
“Investigation is ongoing, I will get back to you when the finding is out. Let me communicate with my Commander, I will get back to you.” he said.