According to a report by
Sahara Reporters,
the Nigerian military authorities are moving female soldiers based in
various army formations in Maiduguri and other parts of Borno State to
Abuja as the army anticipates a massive attack on Maiduguri, the Borno
State capital, by Boko Haram.
The sources said there was heightened apprehension about an impending
attack, hence the decision to reassign female soldiers to Nigeria’s
capital.
The military action also stemmed from the death of five female soldiers
and the abduction of another four by Boko Haram militants when they
attacked a military base in Baga a few weeks ago.
Following recent intelligence indicating that Boko
Haram militants were strategizing on a fierce offensive to capture
Maiduguri before the February 14 elections, the army moved more than 70
female soldiers last week.
One of our sources revealed that 146 more female soldiers had been moved
to Maiduguri airport, where they are awaiting airlift to Abuja. The
source said that all the female soldiers were supposed to have left by
10 a.m. on Thursday, but added that the military did not have a large
enough aircraft to take their entire luggage.
The security sources also told SaharaReporters that Maimalari Barracks,
home to the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army, is the only military base
left standing in Borno State. Maimalari was described as the only
military formation capable of withstanding a major attack from Boko
Haram militants.
One source said that Nigerian military intelligence had received
information that Islamist militants were regrouping in areas around
Maiduguri in preparation for a major offensive against the city.
The Islamist fighters’ attempt to take over the state capital last week
was foiled, with Nigerian troops and civilian vigilante members
collaborating to kill more than 100 terrorists. However, the militants
successfully overran Monguno Barrack, killing and injuring many
soldiers.
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