In continuation of its fight against Boko Haram Insurgents in the
North-East, the troops of 7 Division of the Nigerian Army have
destroyed Boko Haram camp, killing over 95 insurgents in Galangi and
Limanti villages of Kaga local government area of Borno state.
The invasion came barely some hours after attack on military and
police locations in Damaturu the capital of Yobe State by gunmen
suspected to be Boko Haram members yesterday. The gunmen had access
and launched coordinated attacks using Rocket Propelled Launchers and
Improvised Explosive Devices (EIDs) on different military checkpoints
within the metropolis killing several people.
Mallam Abdulwasiu Akinsanya, a staff of Media Trust, publishers of
Daily Trust, Weekly Trust and Sunday Trust was among several civilians
that were killed in Damaturu when the gunmen launched multiple attacks
on military and police locations as well as public and private
buildings on Thursday. His Wife, Bilkisu A. Akinsanya confirmed that
her husband was killed around 5.30pm when their vehicle broke down in
Damaturu shortly before the Boko Haram insurgents launched the
attacks.
File Photo: JTF officers
Explaining the military invasion, the insurgents, the Army in a Press
release signed by its spokesman LT Col Muhammad Dole stated that the
operations which involved ground and aerial assault supported by the
Nigerian Airforce led to the destruction of the terrorist camp,
killing of over 95 insurgents, while several others escaped with
gunshot wounds.
Items recovered from the terrorist's camp, according to the release
includes two Isuzu Tiger Pick-up Vans and five Hilux belonging to the
terrorists were destroyed, while two soldiers were wounded during the
operation.
General Ethan also reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army 7
Division to ensuring safety of lives and property of all citizens
within its area of operations.
Witnesses of the Damaturu onslaught said the gunmen first launched
attack around the NNPC Mega station, a suburb of Damaturu which had
been a GSM Call centre for Maiduguri residents who on daily basis
travel from Maiduguri due to lack of telecommunication network to make
calls.
The NNPC Mega Station is about 2 kilometres away to the City of
Damaturu where military operatives have one of their checkpoints, a
few metres away from the station, and because of the presence of the
security checkpoint, many phone callers from Maiduguri turned the
place to a call centre with adequate security cover; but the gunmen
launched their deadly attack on the area before moving to other places
in the city.
The attack which signaled their presence before penetrating the town
after a while started around 5:30pm and lasted till midnight as
security operatives responded promptly.
Although, the number of casualties was sketchy at press time, sources
said, several terrorists were killed including security operatives.
Residents said sound of gun shots and Improvise Explosive Devices
(IED) were heard across all the nook and crannies of the town, but
could not give further details as to how many people were affected in
the attacks.
A source said, "I saw dead bodies on the streets near my house, but
could not ascertain whether the dead bodies are that of Boko Haram
members, innocent civilians or security operatives".
The spokesman of the Special Operation Battalion in Yobe state,
captain Eli Lazarus who confirmed the attack said "security forces in
the state capital are in a gun battle with the insurgents."
Shortly after the confirmation of the attack, Captain Eli Lazarus in a
statement said "the Special operation Battalion Damaturu hereby
imposed a 24 hours curfew across Yobe state with immediate effect, as
the battalion steps up its operation to rid the state of insurgents".
The statement urged law abiding citizens to remain calm and to accord
the security operatives the usual cooperation.
Security forces are yet to confirm the level of casualties or
destruction caused by the attack which lasted for over eight hours.
The Special Operation Battalion Damaturu had early yesterday reviewed
the curfew time in Potiskum town between the hours of 10PM – 6:00 AM
to 9: PM – 6: 00 AM.
Yesterday's attack was a serious setback to the relative peace being
enjoyed across the state and Damaturu the state capital in particular.
No comments:
Post a Comment