Nigerian security forces have
succeeded in pushing suspected
Boko Haram insurgents out of the
Yobe state capital of Damaturu in
the northeast on Monday after a
dawn raid by the militants, a
spokesman for the state governor
said.
According to civilian vigilantes in
the city, more than 40 Boko Haram
fighters were killed. They did not
however disclose the number of
casualties from the military or
civilian vigilante.
Their claim could not be
independently verified by the
Nigerian security forces. "The
governor has condemned the attack
as heinous and barbaric. He has also
expressed appreciation to the
security forces who worked very
hard on the ground and from the air
… As a result of their effort,
Damaturu remains firmly under
government control," the
spokesman, Abdullahi Bego said in
an emailed statement on behalf of
Governor Ibrahim Gaidam.
In Damaturu, residents in the Gujba
Road area of the city were jolted out
of bed by the sound of gunshots and
explosions at about 4:45 am (0345
GMT) and many fled.
"The gunmen came in numbers.
They have burnt down the police
barracks…. We have left our home.
We are now in the bush. We don't
know what's going to happen," said
one local, Umar Sada.
The Yobe state police commissioner,
Marcus Danladi, described the
attack as a "serious situation".
Civilian vigilantes in the city
claimed that more than 40 Boko
Haram fighters were killed.
Others described the scene as
"chaos" as shells fell in the federal
polytechnic compound and fierce
fighting raged near detention
facilities where Boko Haram
suspects were being held.
Posted By David Aniemeka
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