Boko Haram Insurgents Shoot Obasanjo’s Son In Attack On Mubi Son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Lt Col Adeboye Obasanjo, an army engineer at the 3rd Division in Jos, Plateau State was yesterday shot by Boko Haram terrorists as he was with other soldiers in an offensive to reclaim Michika town in Adamawa State Michika had fallen into the hands of the insurgents as they continue capturing towns in Nigeria’s northeast in their quest for an Islamic state. Although Lt Col Obasanjo survived the attack, 24 other soldiers were not so lucky as they were reportedly killed during the encounter. Although no statement has been released on the incident by the Defence Headquarters, a reliable military source however confirmed the story to Vanguard, saying the injured Obasanjo was receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Yola, Adamawa state capital. At the time of the incident which took place at Baza, Major Gen J.S. Zaruwa, Colonel Victor Ebhaleme, who serves as the Brigade Commander of the 23rd Army brigade in Yola and Lieutenant Agwu were all together advancing towards Michika when Boko Haram fighters ambushed them and unleashed the deadly attack on the soldiers. According to reports, the army also lost an armoured tank to the militants. As a result of the attack, Mubi town has practically been deserted following the closure of schools and massive retreat of soldiers from the city. Meanwhile, as the insurgents overran Michika, security operatives were said to have fled when they ran out of ammunition on Sunday. A competent source from Michika, who escaped the attack and now taking refuge in Gombi council area of Adamawa State, expressed worry over the deadly attacks carried out by terrorists in the North-East. He regretted that this has destabilized the economic fortune of the citizenry who had laboured in this rainy season but had to abandon their farmlands. Another resident who fled from the attack on Michika, Mr. Tumba Philemon who is now residing with one of his relatives at the state university in Mubi, expressed fears that the insurgents may invade Mubi as the town is not far from Michika town which has been reclaimed by insurgents. He noted that the terrorists, who succeeded in chasing away security operatives in Madagali town, invaded neighbouring Michika on Sunday and wreaked havoc on innocent civilians and internally displaced persons before hoisting their black and white flags. Philemon added that, he was contemplating leaving Mubi town when he discovered that the state university authorities in Mubi has given directive that the school will remain closed on Monday (yesterday) and urged students to go back to their various homes for safety as the school authorities could no longer guarantee their safety. He said when he discovered that the university had been closed, he had no option than to relocate to another zone.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 14:51:40 +0000