Daily Trust
In a dramatic show of gallantry, officers of the Nigeria Police Force and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) on Saturday night repelled a daring Boko Haram assault on Banki town in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State — even as some military troops reportedly fled the battlefield.
According to eyewitnesses, the fierce gun duel erupted around 4 p.m. after the insurgents were sighted advancing towards the border town. Despite being advised to withdraw, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Banki, whose name has yet to be officially disclosed, reportedly refused to abandon his post.
Residents described how the DPO, armed with little more than courage and coordination, rallied his men and mobilised members of the civilian JTF to defend both the police formation and the local populace.
> “He refused to run,” said a resident identified as Aminu. “He organised his boys, took charge of the fight, and kept encouraging everyone. Even when many soldiers fled towards the Cameroon border, he stood firm. People celebrated him after the attack.”
Another resident confirmed that the police team and the CJTF held their ground, securing the Divisional Police Headquarters and the Nigeria Customs Service checkpoint near the border — key targets the terrorists had attempted to overrun.
> “We thank God for their courage,” he said. “If they had run away too, Banki would have fallen. We owe them our safety.”
A security source revealed that confusion and delayed air support contributed to the soldiers’ retreat.
> “The Boko Haram movement was sighted around 4 p.m., and a red alert was declared,” the source said. “A signal came that air support was on the way, so troops were told to hold position. But before the jet arrived, the insurgents had already stormed the town in large numbers. The soldiers panicked and pulled back across the border, leaving the police and CJTF to hold the line.”
The attack, which lasted several hours, ended with the insurgents retreating after suffering heavy casualties. No police officer was reported killed, though some sustained injuries.
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, visited Banki on Sunday morning, commending the gallant officers and residents for their uncommon bravery.
> “I came purposely to salute your courage,” Zulum said while addressing the community. “Your resilience is commendable. The police, civilian JTF, and residents have shown extraordinary spirit. We will fortify this border area and continue supporting our youth volunteers, hunters, and vigilantes.”
Zulum also announced plans to resettle three additional communities — Kumshe, Tarmu’a, and Bula Yobe — as part of his administration’s post-conflict recovery and resettlement drive. He further disclosed that rehabilitation work on the Maiduguri–Banki road had commenced, urging residents to cooperate fully with security agencies to ensure lasting peace.
Experts Warn Against Premature Resettlement
However, security expert and former DSS Director, Barrister Mike Ejiofor, urged caution, warning that premature resettlement could expose returnees to fresh risks.
> “Some of those areas are still not completely safe,” Ejiofor said. “The government must ensure total stabilisation before returning displaced persons to their communities.”
The Banki incident has since sparked discussions nationwide, with many Nigerians hailing the courage of the police and CJTF, describing their stand as “a rare moment when the thin blue line became the last line of defence.”
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