Damasak takeover by Boko Haram is ‘blatant misinformation’ - Army

The army has described reports circulating that insurgency group, Boko Haram has taken over Damasak as "blatant misinformation."

This comes after several eyewitnesses gave varied accounts of five attacks in Damasak in one week.

The reports also confirmed thousands of residents flee to the neighbouring Niger Republic.

The army admitted Boko Haram attacked the town “sometime yesterday [Wednesday]”, calling it a “cowardly” attack, according to Daily Trust.

It said the attackers were “effectively repelled”.

It posted a video on social media showing the commander of the 5 Brigade, Brig-Gen SS Tilawan, walking the streets.

“As we speak, troops are in total control of the general area and as can be seen in the attached video, the Commander of 5 Brigade, Brig-Gen SS Tilawan, is driving round the town earlier this afternoon to assess the general situation following the cowardly attack by the terrorists who sneaked in from the northern flank yesterday in active collaboration of some local informants,” says Brig-Gen Mohammed Yerima, director of Army public relations.

“The Nigerian Army wishes to assure residents of Damasak and adjoining communities to remain calm as mop operation by the troops are ongoing to flush out the remnant of the terrorists who attacked a section of the town.”