Thousands flee as Boko Haram sacked Kukawa

FILE PHOTO: The International Organisation for Migration, IOM, said an estimated 4,449 people or 740 households have fled to Chibok itself in the wake of the abduction saga, “seeking safety following attacks or threats of attacks in some neighbouring villages”.

Thousands of residents of Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State have fled their homes, leaving behind the ruins of war, following a series of attacks by Boko Haram insurgents.

We gathered that of all the 11 wards in Kukawa, only Baga ward has military presence, thus making the rest of the 10 wards more prone to attacks.

A resident of Kukawa who preferred anonymity said following a recent attack by the insurgents that killed two women, about 50 vehicles evacuated civilians from the town on Tuesday.

According to him, the recent attack by the insurgents recorded a high number of casualties.

“Kukawa, which is about a hundred and fifty kilometers south of the state capital, Maiduguri, is now in a state of devastation,” the source lamented.

“Kukawa is under the control of Boko Haram. They move freely in the deserted town without any fear. So the residents have to flee to avoid being administered by the insurgents.”

In a July 2015 deadly attack on the town, the insurgents killed 97 civilians and 16 soldiers.

While claiming responsibility for the attacks, the insurgents said, “soldiers of the caliphate launched a large attack on Kukawa and gained control of the town after clashes with fifteen apostates.”

However, another source disclosed that “during another attack on November 27, a troop of 157 Strike Force Battalion repelled some elements of Boko Haram terrorist who attempted to infiltrate cross-Kauwa in Kukawa local government area of Borno State.”