Just in: Thousands of residents trapped as Boko Haram insurgents take over Dikwa, Borno State

Thousands of residents are currently trapped in Dikwa town, Borno State as Boko Haram insurgents take over the community.

Daily Trust reports that the insurgents had on Monday evening attacked the community, but they were repelled by soldiers.

They however returned hours later and overpowered the troops.

Having overpowered the troops, the insurgents are currently roaming the community and instructing locals to remain. They told the residents that they are with them but against the soldiers.

Dikwa town is about 90km from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and has experienced several attacks from the insurgents since the liberation of the town in 2016.

The town also hosts the military Super Camp 9 where the Army Chief visited last week and ordered the retaking of Marte, which is about 20km away.

Bukar Ahmed, a resident of Dikwa, wept as he related how insurgents told his neighbourhood to stay on.

“They said we should stay, ‘we are not here to harm you but the soldiers’. Their motorcycles and gun trucks are in the town.

“Boko Haram are in control of Dikwa as I speak with you, they are roaming the streets; help us talk to President Buhari to save our soul,” he said, weeping in a phone call in a voice call to Daily Trust.

A humanitarian worker said insurgents went to the United Nations hub in Dikwa.

“The situation in Dikwa is scary, thousands of civilians are trapped, we need a quick response from troops to save lives,” the worker said.

“The town is under siege; the government must mobilise resource to salvage the situation as soon as possible.”