Police Confirm Boko Haram Attempt To Capture Damaturu

The Yobe State Police Command has confirmed that members of the Boko Haram sect had tried to attack the state capital, Damaturu, but failed.

Naija News reports that Boko Haram had on Thursday evening reportedly attempted to attack the capital of Yobe State.

Residents around 3-Bedroom and Zanna Zakariya Housing Estates had said heavy bombardments by the Nigeria Air Force fighter jet and gunshots could be heard from the area, along Gashua road.

The residents were said to have remained indoors due to the clash between troops and the insurgents.

The attempted infiltration into the state capital is the latest by the insurgents in about 5 years.

In a statement on Friday, the Acting Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Dungus Abdulkareem, said the security situation in the state is relatively stable, but still remained volatile and unpredictable.

He said the attacked was foiled by members of the Nigeria Army, Nigeria Airforce and mobile policemen on duty.

the statement reads in part: “On Thursday, November 7, 2019 at about 1635hrs, suspected Boko Haram insurgents attempted to invade Damaturu township through Gashua Road, thereby causing panic in the town.

“They were successfully overpowered by soldiers from 233 Battalion of Sector II Command of Operation Lafiya Dole, supported by the Nigerian Air Force as well as personnel of Yobe State Command, 17 and 56 PMF Squadron who were on special duty at the police headquarters, Damaturu.”

He called on residents of Yobe State to report any strange movements of individuals and suspicious persons the nearest police, military or any security formation nearest to them.