A combined team of the Nigeria Police Force and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) successfully repelled a Boko Haram attack in Banki, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, over the weekend — even as reports emerged that some soldiers fled the battlefield.
Residents hailed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Banki for his bravery and leadership during the confrontation. According to eyewitnesses, the DPO refused to abandon his post despite being urged to withdraw. “He organised his boys to defend their location and the people around them,” said a resident identified as Aminu. “Many people, including the soldiers, had abandoned their positions and crossed into Cameroon, but the DPO encouraged many of us to stay back.”
With the support of the civilian JTF, police officers reportedly secured the Divisional Police Headquarters and the Nigeria Customs Service control post near the Cameroon border. Residents expressed gratitude, saying their courage prevented the town from falling to the terrorists.
A security source attributed the soldiers’ retreat to delayed air support. “The Boko Haram movement was sighted around 4 p.m., and a red alert was declared,” he said. “We got a signal that a fighter jet was on the way, but before it arrived, the terrorists had already entered Banki. The troops were terrified by their large numbers.”
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, visited Banki on Sunday to commend residents for their resilience. “I purposely came to salute your courage. Your act of bravery is really encouraging,” he said, pledging to strengthen security and support local vigilantes.
Zulum also announced plans to resettle three more communities — Kumshe, Tarmu’a, and Bula Yobe — under his administration’s post-conflict recovery initiative, while work continues on rehabilitating the Banki road.
However, security expert and former DSS Director, Barrister Mike Ejiofor, urged caution, stressing that resettlement should only happen after full stabilisation. “Some of those areas are still not safe,” he warned. “The government must ensure proper security before returning displaced persons.”
