Soldiers on the run as ISWAP again overruns Dikwa in 24hrs

Troops of the Nigerian Army were, early hours of today, set on a frenzy as militants of the breakaway Boko Haram group, the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) launched a heavy attack on the Army facility in Dikwa, Borno State, in Northeast Nigeria.

Multiple sources said that soldiers were seen scampering for safety as ISWAP once again overran Dikwa, leaving some victims dead, including aid workers.

A report by HumAngle says that this is at least the fourth attack by ISWAP targeting Dikwa this year — twice in less than 24 hours.

ISWAP launched the second wave of attacks on Tuesday morning and subsequently swarmed Dikwa, hours after an initial raid the previous day, says the report.

The insurgents infiltrated and entered the town while the military engaged a distraction squad.

It was gathered that two ISWAP squads entered the town through different points.

One group laid a siege on the United Nations compound in Dikwa and engaged in a fierce clash with troops.

A military reinforcement team from Maiduguri dispatched on Tuesday morning was ambushed by the insurgents.

Residents and displaced persons have begun to flee to Maiduguri and Cameroon despite ISWAP’s assurance that the attack was targeting only the military.

The status of the United Nations humanitarian hub and persons seeking refuge in its bunker during yesterday’s attack is unknown at this time, though many are feared dead.

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