The Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) has released a video of its fighters attacking Tukur Yusufu Buratai Institute for War and Peace (TBI), a research Institute of the Nigerian Army University, located in Buratai Village, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, on Monday.
Buratai is the country home of the immediate past Chief of Army Staff and current Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Tukur Buratai.
In the video, the insurgents were seen firing in different directions, with no resistance from troops.
The insurgents also pulled down flags on the campus and torched some military vehicles on the ground.
The media had earlier reported how insurgents raided the institute on Monday.
Sources said insurgents stormed the community on Wednesday evening, shooting heavy artillery and burnt down four cars.
“Most residents have fled to Moringa, another town in Biu. The ISWAP came in large numbers shooting RPGs and anti-aircraft guns,” a security source said.
While reacting, the management of Army University Biu in a statement confirmed that two civilians lost their lives but that normalcy had since returned.
“The terrorists who came in their numbers were met by superior firepower forcing them to retreat in disarray. Unfortunately, 2 civilian staff of the Institute paid the supreme price.
“Management wishes to commend troops for their gallantry during the attack and to commiserate with families of the fallen staff.
“Finally, management wishes to assure the general public that the Institute remains 100% operational as Security has been beefed up in the general area,” the statement said.
Insurgents have continued to attack both military and civilians in Borno and other parts of the North East.
Earlier in the week, Governor Babagana Zulum said two local government areas in the state were under Boko Haram control.
Speaking with residents and staff members of the university, it was learnt that the insurgents overran the soldiers guarding the campus, who after exhausting their bullets reportedly took to their heels.
“It is very unfortunate. We lost two of our staff. The soldiers ran away after they have tried to stop them. Despite what looks like a good security presence we are shocked that these elements can still have the guts of taking the soldiers heads on. We are shocked, worried and pained by this development. Nothing seemed to be right now for me before I saw this with my eyes and narrowly escaped.
“We have been hearing of it. And the Army and government have told us time and time that these bad elements have been degraded. For me, this is an insult to Nigerians. From what I saw nothing has been done to explain how degraded these Insurgents have been as alleged. I cannot speak of others outside the Campus but I know we lost two staff here and this is enough to cry out loud,” a staffer who did not want his name mentioned told the media.
The two victims of the attack have been buried. The insurgents also burnt cars and offices.
A relation of one of the victims, Mohammed Usman, said he would have been a victim but could not explain how he escaped the attack.
“We were going to meet him (my late cousin) when suddenly we came right in the crossfire at the entrance of the campus. I don’t know how I escape. I saw myself running into one of the residences in town how it happened I cannot say. It was yesterday morning after the insurgents have left that we went back and we discover this cousin of ours was killed during the attack,” he said.
Also, Galadima Gaji, a resident of Buratai town, told the media that it was horrifying when the insurgents came. According to him, they attacked everything on their way and rode back into the forest.
“It is true that the Boko Haram attacked Buratai town. They were specific on the military institution but still they touch on some parts of the town. They killed three people that I know in town aside from the two university staff, who have been buried,” Gaji said.
