BOKO HARAM KILLS 18 PEOPLE IN YOBE

Add caption

Boko Haram struck again yesterday in Yobe State capital Damaturu, killing no fewer than 18 people in multiple attacks.

But troops killed about 100 fleeing sect fighters at Goniri, also in the state.

Yobe police spokesman Toyin Gbadegesin said the Damaturu attack also left eight people injured.

He said: “What happened this morning was caused by three suicide bombers who detonated their devices at three different places.

“There were two suicide attacks in different places at Buhari Estate while the third one took place at a Fulani settlement behind Zanna Zakariya Housing Estate –  all in Damaturu.

“The first blast at the Fulani settlement killed 11 people while the two others at Buhari Estate killed six people (four at the shopping centre and two near a community mosque) and one at the hospital.”

The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency management Agency (SEMA), Musa Idi Jidawa, said the attack was carried out by some teenagers in three places.

“I can confirm to you that so far, we got 18 people that have been confirmed dead. The number of injured persons is 10,” he said.

The army said troops of the 120 Task Force Battalion in Yobe killed more than 100 fleeing terrorists at Goniri. The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col Sani Usman, in a statement, said seven soldiers died while nine others were injured  when the terrorists attempted to invade the military base at Goniri early yesterday.

“The fleeing Boko Haram terrorists, in a desperation and to create an impression that they remain relevant, early today made a futile attempt on 120 Task Force Battalion troops at Goniri, Yobe State.

“During the encounter, our gallant troops successfully repelled the attack and inflicted heavy casualty on the invaders, as all of them were killed.

“More than 100 terrorists died but unfortunately however, seven of our gallant soldiers paid the supreme price while defending our father land. One officer and eight soldiers were also wounded.’’

According to the statement, the troops recovered arms, ammunition and other equipment from the terrorists.

The arms and ammunition recovered include, one general purpose machine gun; two rocket propelled grenades, nine AK-47 rifles and belted rounds of 7.62 (NATO) ammunition.

Wires used for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), seven Primed IEDs, various types of spanners and a torch light were also recovered.

The statement said the troops had consolidated on the encounter and would continue blocking any fleeing terrorist using the Nigerian Air Force aerial bombardment and other troops artillery fire.

The statement stated that troops of 21 Brigade on fighting patrol from Bama to Ngurosoye destroyed Boko Haram terrorists’ camps along that axis.

It stated that soldiers on patrol came across some of the terrorists’ hideouts that also served as fabricating area for IEDs and the terrorists’ training area along Bama-Kawuri axis.

The statement said the army with the support of the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies would not relent in the determined effort of defeating Boko Haram insurgents.