Abuja: Hundreds of residents of a northeastern Nigerian city were fleeing after four days of attacks by radical Islamic sect Boko Haram that left at least 31 dead and many buildings and properties razed.
The city of Potiskum is under security lockdown since Thursday due to rising militant activities.
An inhabitant of the city told Thisday newspaper that hundreds of people, especially those living on the outskirts of the city, are fleeing with their belongings.
"My wife and children are in trauma from the attacks and want a change of environment where they can have peace," he said.
The city is the commercial nerve centre of Yobe State where Boko Haram has a base.
Yesterday, security was relaxed and residents who were forced to stay indoors started escaping to avoid being caught in crossfire.
On Friday, spokesman of the Joint Task Force, Lt Colonel Sagir Musa said a high profile commander Shuaibu Muhammed Bama was arrested in the house of a senator.
Boko Haram wants to install an Islamic caliphate in northern Nigeria though the region has a large number of Christians who are in the minority.
In the southern part of the country where the Christians are in majority, the sect has not been able to establish its presence.
PTI
First Published: Monday, October 22, 2012, 20:26