It is not business as usual for the Nigerian military forces following an attack that took six lives of the military personnel. Aside from the country facing attacks from a deadly virus, the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) is adding up to the list of the problems. This group is believed to be once a branch of the Boko haram. A group that has grown to terrorize the people of Nigeria day in day out. Is it jihadist the country is going to fight or it will concentrate on ways to curb the spread of the pandemic? Because both of these events are claiming the citizens of the nation.
The jihadist attack at the army base killing 6 soldiers
On Saturday 6.30 pm the ISWAP attacked the Auno base which is 25km from Maiduguri, capital of Borno State. The Nigerian army struggled to put up a good fight for almost two hours against the gunmen, but the ISWAP seemed to behave laid out the strategy and perfected on attacking them to their weakest point. ISWAP group proved to be emerging victorious. And a good soldier knows when to live to fight another day. The surviving soldiers fled for safety as the group invaded the camp and got away with military arms and burning up buildings.
Battlefield
The Nigerian army air force was quick to act on the group and drive them out of the base. A Manhunt for 45 soldiers is still ongoing as they could not be accounted for after the jihadist attacks. It is believed they managed to escape the clashes in the efforts of saving their lives amid the unexpected encounter with the gang. This is not the first time the base has tried to be attacked. Recent reports confirm that people have been going missing around the area. Fake checkpoints have been taking place and as a result, many drivers have been abducted.
Not only are they attacking the soldiers but also civilians. ISWAP is being linked to the loss of many lives of Nigerians including 30 passengers and lorry drivers. Sources say the passengers were forced to stop at the entrance to Auno base due to the then existing curfew. The jihadists mercilessly took their lives that night.
Last words
A total of 36000 people lost their lives for the conflicts going on in northeastern Nigeria in the last decade. The big question is how many more lives. And the displacement of people in the nation going to endure amidst these ongoing misunderstandings?
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