The Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police were on Wednesday engaged in a gun battle in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Residents of Geidam town told Channels Television on phone that “sporadic and prolonged gun duel between the two Nigeria forces has caused “pandemonium” in the town.
Witnesses said the two forces engaged themselves in a serious gun battle as sounds of both small and heavy weapons are being heard across town with much concentration around the Mai Idris Aloma Polytechnic laying in between the military base and the Geidam Police station.
The spokesman of the 27th Task Force Brigade in Yobe State, Lt. George Okupe and the Police Public Relations Officer ASP Samaila Solomon, who both confirmed the clash said it occurred as a result of little misunderstanding between both parties.
The officers who could not give further details on the misunderstanding said the situation is currently under control.
On the level of casualties and destruction as a result of the gun duel, they said it’s too early to assess the extent of damage but details will be given as they unfold.
This clash between security forces is the first since the commencement of the Boko Haram insurgency in Yobe State.
Geidam is 184 KMs away from Damaturu, the Yobe State capital and shares common border with Yunusari Local Government Area bordering the Niger Republic.