Fleeing Boko Haram Members Regroup In Adamawa Mountains

Hundreds of members of the militant Islamic
sect, Boko Haram, who are fleeing military
attacks in the border communities of Borno
State, are regrouping in the mountainous forests of Adamawa State, a top Defence source told The PUNCH on Monday.

The source said that militants, who were
dislodged from Sambisa Game Reserve and
other camps in Borno, had sought refuge in the Adamawa forests, especially in the Zumo area of Song Local Government Area.

He also said that the sect members had been
sighted in the forests of Maiha and Fufore local government areas of the state.
"Most of the Boko Haram members who are
running away from the military operations in
Borno are moving into Adamawa State. They are regrouping in Zumo area of Song Local
Government Area. Some are in Fufore and Maha local government areas. This particular area has a combination of mountains, rocks and bushes that extend to Cameroon," he said.

The sect members were said to have mingled
with civilians while escaping from Borno to
Adamawa State. Adamawa has a complex topography comprising mountains, rocks and thick forests that extend into the nation's border with Cameroon.

It is a mountainous land crossed by the large
river valleys – Benue, Gongola and Yedsarem.

The valleys of Cameroon, Mandara and
Adamawa mountains form part of the landscape.
The source, who spoke with The PUNCH, on
condition that he would not be named, said that the focus of the Defence authorities that are coordinating the fight against the militants would change in the next few days from Northern Borno to Adamawa State.
He further stated that the influx of suspected
insurgents into Adamawa explained the decision of the Defence Headquarters to deploy additional 1,000 troops in the state in
preparation for a similar military operation in the area.

The source said, "This might be the reason
behind the decision of the Defence Headquarters to deploy additional 1,000 soldiers in the state.
"The attention of the Defence authorities and
the Special Forces deployed to flush out
suspected Islamic militants in the North-
Eastern part of the country may shift from
Borno where some of the earliest battles have
been fought to Adamawa State."