Soldiers evacuating families from Maiduguri Barracks

Soldiers under the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Borno State are gradually taking  their wives and children out of the Maimalari Barracks and the 21 Armoured Brigade, all in Maiduguri. Our correspondent reliably gathered that those being taking out are families of soldiers that have been in Maiduguri for long. “There are soldiers […]

Soldiers under the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Borno State are gradually taking  their wives and children out of the Maimalari Barracks and the 21 Armoured Brigade, all in Maiduguri.

Our correspondent reliably gathered that those being taking out are families of soldiers that have been in Maiduguri for long.

“There are soldiers whose primary posting is Borno State and are therefore here with their families for many years. They are basically the ones taking  their families out of the barracks,” a soldier, who craved for anonymity, said.

He said the soldiers are now jointly fighting the Boko Haram insurgents with thousands of troops that were deployed for special assignment.

“Most of the soldiers on special assignment  came to Maiduguri alone, they left their families in other formations,” he said.

Another soldier said the precarious security situation in some locations not far from Maiduguri was responsible for the recent development in the barracks.

“We are trying to take precautionary measures ahead of eventualities. The barracks are safe but some of us feel like taking away our families to safer locations,” a sergeant, who lives in Giwa barracks with his family, said.

There was no official confirmation of the development from military authorities.

Thousands of people are trooping to Maiduguri from Bama, Konduga, Dikwa and other locations in search of safety.