Boko Haram repelled from Yobe Govt House

Boko Haram militants launched a dawn attack yesterday in Damaturu and forced their way into the Yobe State Government House before they were repelled by soldiers.Yobe State Government House is situated at the heart of the town, and is being protected up by various security agents that include JTF and SSS operatives. The governor Ibrahim […]

Boko Haram militants launched a dawn attack yesterday in Damaturu and forced their way into the Yobe State Government House before they were repelled by soldiers.
Yobe State Government House is situated at the heart of the town, and is being protected up by various security agents that include JTF and SSS operatives. The governor Ibrahim Gaidam was in Abuja at the time of the attack.
A security source told our correspondent that the attackers gained access to the house through the rear gate.
“Actually they entered the government house up to WAWA hall, but we were able to overcome them with the help of an air force helicopter that killed many of them,” he said.
The rampaging militants however razed a part of the Yobe State University where they sent students fleeing into the bush. The headquarters of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), along with some public buildings along Gujba road, were equally torched.
A resident said the attackers started the dawn attack with ambush on policemen at their mobile base around 4:45 am.
The attackers also overran the Central A Division Police station which had repelled Boko Haram attacks in the past.
“The insurgents took over A division situated at the central round-about, entered the government house. They however faced serious resistance when they attempted the presidential lodge (the JTF headquarters in Damaturu),” he said.
He said though the attackers had succeeded in capturing many security posts, troops eventually succeeded in retaking the areas with the help of fighter jets.
He said that the insurgents, who launched their attacks from Gujba road, have attempted attacking the JTF headquarters but were repelled.
He added that dozens of the insurgents were killed, but this could not be independently verified.
24-hour curfew imposed
Yobe state police commissioner, Mr Marcus Danladi, confirmed the attack but said he could not give further details.
He said that a 24-hour curfew had been imposed on the town for mop-up actions and to observe the situation to avoid further attack by the insurgents.
He called on people in the town to adhere strictly to the curfew and cooperate with the security operatives for peace in the state.
Two medical doctors killed
Two medical doctors working with Sani Abatcha Special Hospital Damaturu have been killed by the insurgents.  
The Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Yobe State chapter, Dr Adamu gave the names of the doctors as Dr. Hassan Lawan and Dr. Mansur Baballe.
He said that the attackers ambushed the doctors’ quarters along Maiduguri road and shot them.
“They were trying to hide in an uncompleted building when the attackers saw them, they shot one of them on the head and the other in the neck,” he said.
Gaidam condemns attack
A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Press Affairs and Information, Malam Abdullahi Bego, said “His Excellency Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, who is on official assignment to Abuja at the moment, was briefed on the situation by heads of law enforcement agencies on the ground in Damaturu.
“The governor has condemned the attack as heinous and barbaric. He has also expressed appreciation to the security forces who worked very hard on the ground and from the air to repel the attack and force many of the attackers to flee. As a result of their effort, Damaturu remains firmly under government control.
“His Excellency the governor has also been told that the security effort is still ongoing. Security agents will continue to track and pursue any remnants of the attackers who might still be hiding in town.
“The governor urges people in Damaturu and across our state to continue to remain vigilant and pray to Almighty Allah for His intervention. His Excellency has noted that our prayers have been significant to the success that the security forces recorded today.
“While commending the security forces for their work in repelling the attack, the governor also calls on them to remain at their highest alert level and to carry the good work to its logical conclusion.
“The governor has directed hospital authorities to provide adequate support to innocent victims of the attack who visit hospital for medical attention,” he said.