Boko Haram militants have invaded Bama, the second largest city in Borno state with the aim of taking over the town, but residents told Saharareporters that Nigerian troops in city have resisted the terrorists leading to a huge fire fight.
Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, with Amoured Personnel Carrier
Several civilians including the Emir of Bama have already fled to the state capital Maiduguri to avoid being caught in the crossfire. Eyewitnesses said that the sect arrived the vicinity of Bama early today and began firing mortars, RPGs and hurling grenades into the city.
The battle was still raging as at the time of publishing this report.
Bama is a strategic city with over 500,000 inhabitants. If the sect captures Bama with all the military hardware in the city, then it just days away from capturing Maiduguri which less than 40 miles from Bama.