From TIMOTHY OLANREWAJU, MaiduguriScores of civilians including a staff of Abuja-based Daily Trust newspapers have been killed while scores were wounded during multiple attacks on Damaturu, the Yobe State capital by suspected Boko Haram, prompting the army authority to impose 24 hours curfew on the city. The army also said that about 21 suspected members of Boko Haram sect were killed fierce battle. The attack came on the heels of military offensive against targeted insurgents camp in Borno where 95 of the insurgents were killed.
The Damaturu attack occurred on Thursday evening almost a year after the insurgents carried out similar onslaught on the serene state capital. Witnesses said the attackers first opened fire around the NNPC Mega station, a suburb area along Maiduguri road to signal their arrival thereabout 5.30pm on Thursday. “Minutes later, gunshots and bomb explosion were heard from different parts of the town,” a resident said in an email to the reporter in Maiduguri.
Information on the attack was sketchy as at press time due to the 24 hours curfew imposed on the town. But the Spokesman of the 3 Division Special Operation Battalion in Yobe, Captain Eli Lazarus confirmed the attack, adding, “The security forces in the state capital were in a gun battle with the insurgents.
“ At about 5:30pm Wednesday 24 October, 2013, gunmen in large numbers suspected to be members of Boko Haram terrorists attacked a military checkpoint close to the NNPC Mega Station along Damaturu -Maiduguri road. Troops of 3 Division Special Operation Battalion had a fierce encounter with the terrorists in various parts of Damaturu, Yobe State capital for several hours.
“Twenty one of the insurgents were killed during the encounter while three of their vehicles were recovered. Other items recovered include, Four AK 47 rifles, One FN rifle, one rocket propelled grenade, one rocket propelled grenade bomb (RPG), one extra barrel GPMG, several Improvised Explosive Devices and 709 rounds of assorted ammunition,” Captain Lazarus Eli said.
“The 3 Division 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,” Eli said through a statement. He urged law abiding citizens to remain calm and to accord the security operatives the usual cooperation.
One of the victims of the attack, Mallam Abdulwasiu Akinsanya, was until his killing last Thursday a production staff of Media Trust, publishers of Daily Trust newspapers at the Maiduguri regional office of the company. He was reportedly caught in the midst of gunfire while travelling with his wife to Kano.
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