A 24-hour curfew has been imposed on Yobe state following a fresh attack by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, on Damaturu, the state capital, on Thursday.
The insurgent group reportedly launched the attack on Thursday evening and it lasted from 5:30pm local time till midnight. Security operatives were said to have responded promptly.
Witnesses told Channels Television that the group first launched attack around the NNPC Mega station suburb of Damaturu to signal their presence before penetrating the town a little later.
Residents said gun shots and Improvise Explosive Devices (IED) were heard across all the nook and crannies of the town.
The spokesman of the 3 Division Special Operation Battalion in Yobe state, Captain Eli Lazarus who confirmed the attack said that security forces in the state capital were involved in a gun battle with the insurgents.
Shortly after the confirmation of the attack, Captain Eli Lazarus issued a statement disclosing that a 24-hour curfew had been imposed across Yobe state with immediate effect as the battalion continued its operation to rid the state of insurgents.
Early on Thursday, Captain Eli Lazarus had announced that a review of the curfew had been approved.
The 3 Division Special Operation Battalion Damaturu had reviewed the curfew time in Potiskum town between the hours of 10PM – 6:00 AM to a new time frame, 9: PM – 6: 00 AM. However, last night’s attack has now led to the return of a 24-hour curfew.
Although security forces are yet to confirm the level of casualties or destruction caused by the attack which lasted for over eight hours, Captain Lazarus has urged law abiding citizens to remain calm and to accord the security operatives the usual cooperation.
