Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State is said to be “missing’ since Boko Haram insurgents launched a coordinated deadly attack on Geidam.
It is not yet clear if the Governor is in the state or in Abuja where he spends most of his time running the affairs of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Mai Mala Buni chairs the APC, an appointment he got after the removal of the former chairman, Adams Oshiomole by a court.
Yobe has largely been run by Buni’s deputy.
Boko Haram insurgents and the military have been locked in a fierce gun battle since Friday in Geidam.
Reports say that after a deadly air raid by the military, the insurgents beat a retreat only to return within hours and have been wrecking havoc since then.
11 members of one family are said to have been killed when an explosive hit their home at Samunaka area close to the military base in Geidam.
Reports also say that the explosives hit 2 adjoining homes in the neighbourhood during the gun duel.
Speaking from the state capital, Damaturu, the Geidam political Administrator, Ali Kolo Kachalla said that, “We lost 11 people in the terrorist invasion and the gunmen are still in town.
“Our people are trapped in the town and soldiers have prevented them from leaving.”
A resident, Babagana Kyari added that, “A projectile fell on the houses, killing 11 occupants, 6 from one house and five from another.
“The militants destroyed telecom masts in the town, save a few from a mobile carrier, making communication limited
Another resident, Ari Sanda added that, “The insurgents looted provision stores before setting them on fire.” He also said that the terrorists seized one military armoured vehicle and destroyed 3 trucks.
Other reports say the militants hid among civilians to avoid aerial bombardment. However, by Saturday, they came out of hiding and were joined by their comrades who arrived the town in trucks.
“They are still in the town, they are camping under trees, with some of them sleeping,” Kyari said.
They are said to have reassured civilians and resident that they will not be harmed but most remained indoors while some tried to flee the city.
However, troops have blocked the road out of town, preventing residents from fleeing while some trekked through the bushes or took boats to the other side of the river to escape.
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