FOLLOWING the recent attacks on Baga and Geidam council areas of Borno and Yobe states by suspected Boko Haram gunmen, some residents and businessmen in the affected communities have continued to take refuge in the border town of Maine-Sarowa in Diffa Province of Niger Republic.

The fleeing residents, according to the district head of Maine-Sarowa, Alhaji Goukini Gassou, are from Geidam in Yobe State and Damasak, Baga and Maiduguri towns in Borno State, adding that some of them came with their family members, properties and vehicles.

He said: “I started to notice the influx of our brothers and sisters from Nigerian border towns of Geidam, Baga and even Maiduguri in February this year.

“The well-to-do fleeing Nigerians have built houses here, while some of them come for holidays and return to their respective areas in Nigeria.

“The concern of the authorities of Maine-Sarowa is not the increasing number of fleeing Nigerians to Niger Republic, but the sudden rise in armed robbery and car-snatching.

“This is why it is mandatory for any alien entering this town to identify him or herself before being registered as visitor on either business or holidaying mission.”

He attributed the sudden influx of Nigerians to his domain to the incessant attacks and killings by Boko Haram gunmen in the border town of Geidam, 30 kilometres from Maine-Sarowa, Baga and even far away Maiduguri.

He disclosed that more Nigerians are crossing the border into Niger Republic to take refuge in Maine-Sarowa, some 242 kilometres north of Maiduguri.