Boko Haram: Families of soldiers in Bama evacuated

To maintain the war against Boko Haram insurgents by the Defence Headquarters, families of all soldiers in Kuru Mohammed Barracks in Bama have been evacuated.

The evacuation is to screen the population in the barracks and limit the number of casualties during attacks against the insurgents along Bama-Cameroon borders route.

The action will also enable the military to sweep the barracks of mines which might have been planted by the insurgents.

The insurgents had at dawn on Friday attacked the barracks leading to the killing of many Boko Haram members and the death of about 15 soldiers and civilians.

The military was still taking stock of the death toll as at press time on Sunday.

It ws gathered that the Defence Headquarters decided to evacuate the families of all soldiers in the barracks following intelligence report of likely infiltration or mix up of insurgents with residents.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “As at Saturday, we have evacuated the families of soldiers in the barracks to safer and less vulnerable places.

“As I am talking to you, only troops are living in the barracks in line with their calling. This temporary measure was typical of what happens during a war. We have declared total war against Boko Haram in the Bama –Cameroon borders axis.”