Militants Attack Market İn Ne Nigeria

Dozens of militants on Friday attacked a local market in northeastern Nigeria's town of Mainok, killing several people and carting away merchandise before fleeing the scene, local sources have said.



"Boko Haram terrorists resumed their hit-and-run tactics today when they attacked Mainok market, where they shot several people dead and stole foodstuffs before running away," a local security source told The Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity.



"We suspect the attackers are among those who fled the Sambisa axis, where we have decimated their ranks to a large extent," he added.



The militants, he noted, were in disarray as a result of the continuous bombing of the Sambisa forest area and other makeshift camps across the region, especially in northeastern Borno State.



Mukaila Maina, a member of a local vigilante group, said the market attack had claimed at least 14 lives.



"Around 10am today, militants on motorbikes and motorcycles attacked Mainok market, where they opened fire on traders," Maina said.



"About 14 people were killed, mostly women," he told AA by phone.



He added that the attackers had also stolen goods from the market, exploiting local residents' "confusion" and "helplessness."



"The militants fled the town immediately. We suspect they are among those who are desperately trying to flee the air bombardment in Borno," Maina said.



Boko Haram has used guerilla tactics since 2014, when it occupied towns and villages in areas that it later declared to be a self-styled "Islamic caliphate," with its headquarters in Gwoza.



The Nigerian army operates in the Gwoza area. It remains unclear until now, however, whether the militants have abandoned the town entirely, as they have in Baga, Gamboru Ngala and elsewhere.



Nigeria has vowed to flush the militants from the area within six weeks in advance of holding presidential and parliamentary elections.



Citing security concerns, Nigeria recently postponed the polls by six weeks. Presidential and parliamentary polls are now slated for March 28, after having been initially scheduled for Feb. 14.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Lagos