LAGOS
Bala James Ngillari, governor of the northeastern Adamawa State, has imposed a 24-hour curfew on several towns after they came under attack by militants.
"Following the escalation of violence by the insurgents, Ngillari has approved the imposition of 24 hours curfew on Mubi, Mararaba Mubi and Uba, with immediate effect," Andrew Weyle, secretary to the state government, said in a statement issued Thursday.
"People are advised to stay off the roads and public places, except those on essential services," he said.
Local residents and military sources told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday that heavily-armed insurgents had taken over Uba and marched on Mubi, leaving many people dead.
Mubi is located about 196km from Yola, the provincial capital of Adamawa, one of the three northeastern states that remain in a state of emergency due to the Boko Haram insurgency.
The Nigerian military, meanwhile, has kept mute on the latest violence.
The surge in violence surprised many Nigerians, as it came only days after the federal government had announced a cease-fire with Boko Haram.
Chief of Defense Staff Alex Badeh said two weeks ago that troops had been asked to halt counterinsurgency operations in line with the terms of the cease-fire.
On Monday, Foreign Minister Aminu Wali confirmed the cease-fire, saying negotiations were ongoing in neighboring Chad. Wali also exonerated Boko Haram from a spate of recent attacks and kidnappings.
Nigeria has battled Boko Haram for the past five years. Thousands have been killed and millions displaced by the violence, which has been largely confined to the country's volatile northeastern region.
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