Geidam under curfew as suspected jihadists surround town

Suspected IS-aligned jihadists have besieged Geidam in northeastern Nigeria for a third day, while troops enforce a round-the-clock curfew that has kept residents indoors, military sources and residents said Friday.

Residents said fighters from Islamic State West Africa Province attacked a base on the outskirts of Geidam early Wednesday, leading to an hours-long firefight with troops before the fighters laid siege to the town.

Residents said they could not say whether any troops or jihadists were killed.

“We have been forced to stay indoors since Wednesday by soldiers who warned everyone not to step outside,” Geidam resident Abubakar Musa said by phone.

Two military officers said the curfew was necessary because ISWAP militants had surrounded the town of about 89,000 people and could launch renewed attacks. One officer said the militants were outside the town while soldiers patrolled inside.

Geidam district deputy political administrator Kaka Bukar Zanna said troops had not informed residents before locking down the town. In an online post, he said soldiers assaulted and injured him when he went outside despite identifying himself.

Resident Usman Kabir said the curfew had left people who depend on daily income with little or nothing to eat.

Geidam, in Yobe state, has been attacked multiple times in the past by Boko Haram and ISWAP. ISWAP seized the town for several days in 2021, killing dozens and looting provision stores before setting them on fire.