On April 23, 2021, militants from the Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP) stormed the town of Geidam, in Yobe State, Nigeria, killing several civilians and sparking a battle with Nigerian armed forces.
| Battle of Geidam | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Boko Haram insurgency | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Nigeria | |||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 3 injured (per Nigeria) | 21 killed (per Nigeria) | ||||||
| 11 killed | |||||||
Prelude
editGeidam is a local government area in northeastern Nigeria, with the village of Jilli in the LGA notably being the site of a Nigerian military base that has defended the town and surrounding areas from Boko Haram. During the Dapchi schoolgirls kidnapping in 2014, locals called the military base in Geidam for help rescuing schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram.[1] In 2018, the Geidam base was attacked by Boko Haram again, killing over 31 soldiers and injuring over 24 others.[2] In 2019, Boko Haram stormed the town of Geidam before attacking the military base, leading to a 12-hour battle and at least eight Nigerian soldiers killed.[3] Boko Haram attacked the town in February 2021, as well.[4]
Battle
editISWAP militants arrived at the town around 5pm of April 23, as residents were preparing their fast for Ramadan.[5] Around eight ISWAP trucks stormed the town, sparking a battle with Nigerian soldiers located at the military base.[5] However, the militants quickly captured the town. In response, a Nigerian air force jet launched airstrikes on the town on April 23. A projectile struck houses in the Samunaka neighborhood during the battle, killing 11 civilians, with one survivor stating that "a bomb was thrown into [their] house."[5][6] ISWAP fighters also destroyed telecommunications in the town, preventing Internet access.[5] The militants withdrew from the town overnight, bringing reinforcements the next day.[5][7] Residents, along with the Geidam administrator, alleged that Nigerian soldiers prevented Geidam residents from fleeing the town in an attempt to stop ISWAP militants from fleeing as well.[8] Meanwhile, ISWAP fighters wreaked havoc on the town, destroying buildings and property.[9]
After consolidating control of the town, ISWAP fighters distributed pamphlets encouraging residents to join the insurgents.[10] The Nigerian Army also launched a counteroffensive on the town around April 25 called Operation Tura Taikabongo, alleging that 21 ISWAP fighters were killed in air raids.[10] Despite this, ISWAP was able to raise the flag of the Islamic State in several parts of the town, although battles were ongoing between Nigerian soldiers and ISWAP.[11] Three Nigerian soldiers were injured.[12] On April 26, under Boko Haram control, two people, including a primary school teacher, were beheaded by Boko Haram.[13]
On April 27, Yobe state governor Buni ordered General Luky Irabo to deploy more soldiers to Geidam LGA.[14] By that same day, ISWAP was still in control of Geidam.[15] On April 28, ISWAP fighters distributed 20,000 naira to families in an attempt to recruit civilians into their ranks.[16] A refugee from Geidam, speaking to Sahara Reporters, stated tha two Christians were killed by ISWAP during their control of the town.[16]
Later, 150,000 civilians were reported to have fled Geidam.[17]
Aftermath
editFollowing the attack, members of the Nigerian government alleged that Nigerian soldiers knew the attack was coming but didn't act on it.[10] One Nigerian representative, representing Geidam, stated that ISWAP was able to capture the town in one day.[18] By June, Nigerian special forces were deployed inside Geidam.[19]
Yobe State governor Mai Mala Buni condemned the attack on Geidam.[14]
References
edit- ^ "Nigeria: Security forces failed to act on warnings about Boko Haram attack hours before abduction of schoolgirls". Amnesty International. 2018-03-20. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ "Casualties feared after Boko Haram attack military base". Vanguard News. July 16, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- ^ Ogundipe, Samuel (January 25, 2019). "Eight soldiers killed in fresh Boko Haram attack". Premium Times. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- ^ PRNigeria (2021-02-09). "24 Hours After Security Warning, Boko Haram Terrorists Attack Geidam in Yobe". PRNigeria News. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ a b c d e Report, Agency (2021-04-24). "Terrorists kill 11 in Yobe attack". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ Ige, Olugbenga (2021-04-26). "How My Sister Died In My Presence, Victim Of Geidam Attack Narrates Ordeal". Naija News. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ Odunsi, Wale (2021-04-24). "ISWAP preach at IG of Police hometown Geidam, burn public facilities". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ "Geidam attack and oda ones wey happun for Nigeria in 72 hours". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ Marama, Ndahi (April 26, 2021). "UPDATED: Boko Haram defies Ramadan, invades Geidam LGA of Yobe". Vanguard News. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Geidam attack - My people at the mercy of Boko Haram: Rep". The Nation Nigeria. April 25, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- ^ Oluchi (April 25, 2021). "Boko Haram Hoists Flag in Some Parts of Yobe Community". Channels TV. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- ^ "Battle of Geidam: 21 Boko Haram Terrorists Gunned Down". PM News Nigeria. April 24, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- ^ Duku, Joel (April 26, 2021). "Boko Haram beheads teacher, preaches to people at Geidam". The Nation NG. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- ^ a b Maina, Maina (2021-04-27). "Boko Haram: Governor Buni condemns attack in Geidam". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ "Boko Haram seizes Nigeria's northern region". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ a b "Boko Haram Shares N20,000 Per Household To Yobe Residents In New Recruitment Drive | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ "North-East Nigeria: Flash Update #1, Geidam LGA, Yobe State as of 1 May 2021 - Nigeria | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2021-05-04. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ ""They Had Time To Repair Their Vehicles Unchallenged"—Lawmaker Slams Army, Recounts How B'Haram Captured Geidam | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ "Nigeria: Yobe State - Weekly Situation Report No. 2 (As of 04 June 2021) - Nigeria | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2021-06-15. Retrieved 2023-10-13.