Gaidam urges security beef-up
By Sadiq Abubakar
Maiduguri
Eighteen persons were yesterday confirmed dead after suicide bombers, believed to be members of the Boko Haram sect, carried out coordinated attacks at three different locations in Damaturu town, the Yobe state capital.
The attacks occurred even as the Nigerian Army confirmed that troops of the 120 Task Force Battalion in the state killed more than 100 fleeing terrorists at Goniri area of the state.
The multiple attacks, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, Yobe command, Toyin Gbadegesin, was first launched at a Fulani local settlement in the outskirts of Damaturu, the state capital, while the other two were carried out at the Muhammadu Buhari Housing Estate in Damaturu metropolis.
A witness at the scene of the blast and father of an undergraduate killed in the blast, Mohammed Damagum, who narrated his ordeal, expressed sadness, saying the deceased was due for registration into the Yobe State University when the sad incident occurred.
Our correspondent reports that the premises of the Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital, Damaturu, was besieged by relations of the victims as well as sympathisers while rescue teams continued to offer support.
Also, the remains of those killed in the blasts had been taken to mortuary and were yet to be claimed by their relations.
Executive Secretary, Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, YOSEMA, Alhaji Musa Idi, confirmed to newsmen that three separate bombs were detonated at Buhari quarters, a housing estate located at the outskirts of Damaturu town along Gashua road, while another suicide bomber detonated a bomb in a roadside shop along Gashua road in Damaturu town, few metres away from the housing estate as early as 9.ooam Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the acting director, Army Public Relations, Col Sani Usman, confirmed in a statement that seven soldiers died while nine others were wounded when the terrorists attempted to invade the military base at Goniri, early yesterday.
It said: “The fleeing Boko Haram terrorists in 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) ammunitions.
It further said various wires used for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), seven Primed IEDs, different types of spanners and a torch light were also recovered.
It 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 further disclosed 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.
Usman said, the Nigeria Army, with the support of the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies, would not relent in the determined effort to defeat the insurgents.
In his condolence to families of the victims, the state governor, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam and prayed for the repose of their , while also ordering the immediate and free medical care for those who sustained injuries in the attacks.
in a statement by his Director of Press Affairs, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, the governor said already, treatment had commenced for injured victims at the Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital, Damaturu while three of the 11 injured victims were referred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala Kano for further medical care at the government expense.
Describing the attack as cowardly and barbaric, the governor expressed confidence that “despite these barbaric and unjustified suicide attacks, the Boko Haram insurgency will come to an end soon in view of the all-hands-on-deck approach adopted by the Federal Government.”
The governor commended the security agents for their gallantry and urged them to step up surveillance to prevent insurgents and criminals from carrying out further attacks.
he further enjoined residents not to relent in their exemplary support to and cooperation with security agents and called on them to continue to pray to Almighty Allah (SWT) for the full restoration of peace and security.
Blueprint reports that the last time Damaturu came under suicide bomb attack was in August, this year, when a female suicide bomber ran into an upcoming car at the Damaturu Motor Park, killing six people.
