Damaturu, the Yobe state capital, again come under intense assault on Friday evening by suspected Boko Haram militants, barely a month after a similar attack killed many residents.
Residents and security operatives said the city is currently under heavy gunfire and multiple explosions rocking the town.
As the attack rages, most telecommunications networks were cut off as at press time with residents in emergency lock-up. But the insurgents were repelled last night by troops and other security agents.
However, while Damaturu was burning, the Amnesty International last night expressed fears that the January 3 attack on Baga in Borno State could be the deadliest in the country by the insurgents.
According to a reliable source, the insurgents stormed Damaturu at about 8pm on Friday in what appeared a reprisal mission following their humiliation on December 1 when their mission to take over Yobe Government House failed.
“At about 8pm, we got distress calls from Damaturu that Boko Haram insurgents have struck again in the state capital.
“Following sporadic gunshots, most residents were forced to lock themselves up. Besides the initial calls, all telephone lines have gone dead in Damaturu.
“So, it is difficult to ascertain what had happened as I talk to you,” said a top security source.
However, another top security source said that “The report reaching me said that the insurgents attacked a checkpoint in the outskirts of Damaturu and they were successfully repelled by troops.
“So, they made a fresh attempt to march on Damaturu but they failed. If I get a contrary information, I will tell you.”
A top security officer of the State Security Service, SSS, who refused to be named because he was not authorised to speak on the development, told PREMIUM TIMES via SMS that “Yes, there is an attack going on here and I believe the soldiers and the police are containing the attacks”.
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