Borno-based teacher narrates encounter at ISWAP checkpoint

A teacher based in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State has narrated his ordeal during an encounter with fighters of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The teacher, who pleaded anonymity, said he ran into the group while on his way to Biu Local Government Area of the state recently.

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“They were so free and doing things as if it were normal,” he said.

“Our driver told us not to panic when he saw them approaching us. I was half dead but I summoned courage and the ISWAP fighter asked who am I? I told him that I am a petty trader and he asked me to buy detergents, bread and sleepers for him. He gave our driver N7,200 and asked him to do something for him,” he said.

Another commuter confirmed the presence of ISWAP fighters on roads in the area.

“They have three checkpoints along Damboa-Biu Highway for some time.”

“They normally stop commuters and search the car if there are any security personnel or humanitarian workers in the vehicles because they don’t treat them lightly,” he said.

Daily Trust reports that the dreaded ISWAP fighters on Saturday at about 9am ambushed the convoy of the troops at Askira town, (Askira Uba LGA of Borno state).

A Brigadier-General and four other soldiers died in the process.
They have also mounted checkpoints on the highway that links Damboa and Biu.