Again, Boko Haram attacks Damaturu

Insurgents attack Damaturu, torch varsity buildings, telecom masts, police, radio stations

OVER 100 suspected members of Boko Haram in a convoy of Toyota Hilux vehicles laden with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and motorcycles attacked Damaturu, the state capital torching some buildings of Bukar Abba Ibrahim University (BAIU),  state owned radio station, telecom mast and a primary school in the early hours on Monday.

According to an eyewitness and student of the varsity, the gunmen burst into the state capital through the Gujba axis of Damaturu-Biu road  and commenced shooting sporadically with the torching of buildings at the campus, and Mobile Police Unit premises, before soldiers and policemen engaged the insurgents in a fierce battle that lasted for over four hours.

“We were shocked and terrified with these sporadic attacks and shootings this morning by these gunmen, who caught students, residents and the locals unaware; to flee into different directions. Some of us fled towards the varsity bush; while others took refuge in nearby farmlands located on the same route the gunmen got access to attack us in Damaturu.

“As they shot sporadically at any person walking or riding a bicycle, they simultaneously torched some varsity buildings with explosives and petrol-bomb. Many residents in their houses had to return and hide for safety, before they were repelled by a combined team of soldiers and policemen along the Gubja road.”

Confirming the incident on Monday, the Yobe Police Commissioner, Markus Danladi said that despite the dawn attacks on the Yobe State University, Radio Station and Mobile Police Unit, a team of soldiers and policemen have repelled the insurgents with casualties on both sides that lasted for over four hours.

“We are able to repel the insurgents this morning, some of them were killed, while others fled with gunshot wounds towards Gujba road, abandoning some of their vehicles, rifles and ammunitions, which had to be destroyed in the two-hour repulsion of insurgents this morning,” said Danladi.

Before Monday’s multiple attacks, the insurgents had captured Buni/Yadi and Bara towns in Gujba and Gulani council areas of Yobe state, and continued to control them, until they attacked the state capital Monday morning.

On casualties, the police chief said: “The military jet had to be deployed to push the insurgents back as the situation is now under control and the entire town has been cordoned off. The casualties cannot be counted now but it is massive, the insurgents were overwhelmed and they suffered a lot of deaths but few police officers and civilians were also killed in the crossfire.”

A resident, Ibrahim Abdul, who spoke on phone, also said: “We were woken up by sounds of gunshots and explosions and up till now (8:30am) we cannot leave our homes as we are still hearing gunshots though less deafening than about two hours ago. Everyone is indoors and our children are all at home with us as no one dares go out.

“The military appears to have taken control of the situation in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital, which was massively attacked by the Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram, early this morning.

Meanwhile, a bomb blast has also exploded at the Maiduguri Monday Market (MMM) at about 11,25am Monday, creating a crater near the Chicken market area. Over 50 residents and traders were killed in the twin blasts of last Tuesday’s at the same market.

As at the time of filing this report, casualties of the blast, are yet to be collated, as people were prevented by members of the Civilian from going near the scene.

SUSPECTED Boko Haram militants reportedly on Monday invaded  Damaturu,  the capital of Yobe State, according  to residents and security sources.

The assault on the city  began shortly after 05:00 local time.

Gunshots and explosions were heard and a base of the riot police was reported to have been set on fire. The state university was also said to have suffered same fate. 

The BBC learnt that the assailants shot sporadically and the military was seeing touring the city to ensure normalcy.

A resident, Umar Sada, told the AFP news agency: "We have left our homes. We are now in the bush. We don't know what's going to happen."

A government official, who asked not to be identified, said: "It's chaos all over the town. All I can hear is explosions and gunfire from my house.

"I couldn't go out for morning prayers because this started before dawn and I'm afraid to leave in case I get caught up in it.”

Another report said the military appears to have taken control of the situation in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital, which was massively attacked by the  Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram, early Monday.