"Bama Now Under Our Control" - Boko Haram Claims

The insurgent group, Boko Haram, has said that it is in control of Borno’s second largest town, Bama. There had been conflicting reports of who was in control of the town between the sect and the Nigerian military. Members of the Boko Haram had two weeks ago invaded Bama, killing several
people and destroying property, thus forcing residents to flee.

Premium Times in a telephone call to Maiduguri on Monday, a man who claimed to be Abu Zinnira, a long forgotten spokesperson of the Boko Haram, said the sect was in control of Bama. Abu Zinnira last spoke for the sect two years ago while the call on Monday lasted just 29 seconds and was in Hausa.

“This is a rebuttal from the information dissemination and sensitization unit of the Jamaatul Ahlil Sunna Lidawati Wal Jihad (Boko Haram) on the series of lies that the Nigeria military have been feeding the world on our recent conquests,” the spokesperson said, while also speaking on the sect’s capture of some towns in Adamawa State.

“Let the whole world know that we are on the path of victory because up to this minute, the town of Bama is under our control, the whole of Minchika is now in our hands, as well as Manalapan (Junction of) Mubi is now fully under our control. We are assuring the world that this would be continuous and there will be no going back by God’s grace. This is a message from me Abu Zinnira, on behalf of our brethren,” he said.

The violent activities of the Boko Haram have continued despite a state of emergency imposed on Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe since May last year.

Source: Premium Times