There was tension in Askira town, the headquarters of Askira Local Government Area of Borno State, on Wednesday morning, after Boko Haram attacked a nearby Krangla community, burning several houses.
Soldiers deployed in the town barricaded the major road as hundreds of commuters were stranded.
Casualty figures have not yet been ascertained at the time of filing this report.
Witnesses told Daily Trust that fears heightened when news filtered in that the terrorists had attacked the community, about eight kilometres away from Askira, around 9am.
Residents scampered for safety with hundreds fleeing into the bush and surrounding mountains for refuge while a military convoy reportedly escorted the traditional ruler out of the town.
Bulama Jonah, one of the parents of the abducted Chibok girls, said he ran into the bush where he and many other people hid until the situation became relatively calm.
“We returned to the town, though reluctantly after we heard the military had mobilised troops to intercept the bandits. The soldiers are still there,” he said.
A commercial driver who pleaded anonymity said as soon as he heard the insurgents were on their way, he fled with his pregnant wife to Uba town for safety.
Military authorities could not be reached for comments yesterday.
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