A large number of Boko Haram terrorists are fleeing from Sambisa forest to villages in Gwoza Council in Borno State, residents told TheNiche.
The news came as a coalition led by the United States intensifies the search for more than 200 school girls abducted by the Islamic sect on the night of April 14. They are believed to be held in Sambisa forest.
Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau.
But the search is daunting, given the vast hectres of the forest. Sambisa sprawls over 60,000 square kilometres, 20 times the size of Lagos. It is believed to harbour wild animals, including lions and pythons.
Since the abduction, a number of countries have pledged to support Nigeria in locating the girls.
The U.S. has deployed intelligence resources, including drone missiles, for the search. France and the United Kingdom moved a step further by putting special forces on the ground. China is providing support with satellite coverage of the entire Sambisa forest and other areas suspected to be the hide out of Boko Haram.
The heat is telling on the jihadists who know that their days are numbered. Some of them are being spotted in Patawe, Fadagwe, Wala, Uvaha, Gatha, Jige, Warabe and Ngoshe – all villages in Gwoza Council.
But how were the residents able to know that the terrorists have infiltrated their communities?
A source who spoke on the condition of anonymity explained: “You know that for almost two years now, motorcycles have been banned in the entire Borno State. So, nobody uses motorcycles except Boko Haram people.
“Lately these people have been moving unchallenged on their motorcycles in these villages. The Fulani who live in these places have also been complaining that they have been losing their cattle to these terrorists.
“Also, these people (Boko Haram) have been kidnapping young men and forcing them to join their group.”
Asked whether there are no security patrols in those areas, the source said: “The soldiers operate more in Gwoza town and are afraid of extending their operations to these remote villages for fear of their safety too.
“So, whenever we see these people (Boko Haram) on motorcycles, we flee our houses to hide in farms. Sometimes, we sleep there for fear of these people either killing us or forcing us to join them.”