Damaturu, the Yobe State capital came under attack again on Sunday
morning, as a suicide bomb tore through a crowded market, killing 19
people and wounding 47 early morning visitors.
When the dust settled, according to spokesman of Mohammed Kanar,
spokesman of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the death
toll stood at 19, while 47 were injured.
But Toyin Gbadegeshin, Police Public Relations Officer in Yobe, while
confirming the incident, put the death toll at 15 and 47 injured.
Gbadegeshin told newsmen in the Yobe State capital, that the bomber, a
10-year-old girl, detonated the explosive device at the gate of the
market, killing herself and 14 others.
“A female suicide bomber, aged about 10 years, detonated the
explosive device at a crowded main entrance of the popular Sunday
Market, killing 15 people, including 10 females and five males, while
injuring 47 others,” he explained.
The attack took place six days after a suicide bomber killed three policemen at a checkpoint on the outskirts of the city.
Earlier this month also, at least nine people were killed in Damaturu
by a female suicide bomber as worshippers gathered to mark the Muslim
holiday Eid al-Fitr.
The Police spokesman said five other units of undetonated explosives
were recovered at the scene of the explosion and that suicide bombers
used mortars similar to those recovered from suspected bombers on the
Maiduguri-Damaturu highway last Monday when three policemen and five
suicide bombers were killed.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army, on Sunday said it has liberated Dikwa
Local Government area of Borno State, a stronghold of the Boko Haram
sect, as well as neighbouring villages.
During the encounter, 20 terrorists were killed and several others
injured, according to the Acting Director, Army Public Relations,
Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, he disputed claims by the Borno
State Deputy Governor, Zannah Umar Mustapha that some local government
councils in Borno and Yobe states were still under the control of the
sect.
Usman however explained: “During the encounter, over 20 terrorists
were killed and several wounded. The troops recovered the following
items; five vehicles heavily laden with Improvised Explosives Devices
about to be unleashed into the society, four motorcycles, one Toyota
Hilux mounted with Anti-Aircraft Guns, one Anti-Aircraft Gun and one
General Purpose Machine Gun.
“Others include three extra Barrels of Anti-Aircraft Gun, a box of
Anti-Aircraft Gun Ammunition, three SIM Cards and a damaged AK-47 Rifle.
“The brave soldiers also destroyed five motorcycles adorned with
terrorists flags and a Toyota Hilux mounted with Anti-Aircraft Gun.
“The advancing soldiers also found a concealed IED and safely
detonated it. The IED was planted by the terrorists at the village with
connected wires traced to most likely one of the Boko Haram terrorists
kingpins residence.”
Continuing, the Army Spokesman, acknowledged “that Boko Haram
terrorists have been occupying some portions of Gamboru Ngala, Kala
Balge, Guzamala and Dikwa Local Government Areas of Borno State.”
He noted that in Yobe State, Gujba LGA headquarters had long been
deserted, adding that “due to recent concerted efforts, roads and towns
hitherto being held by Boko Haram terrorists and laced with mines such
as Biu-Buni Yadi-Damaturu and Biu-Sabon Gari-Damboa roads were liberated
and cleared of mines and made safe for public usage. “
Efforts are on, he continued, to liberate other towns and roads,
assuring that “with the support of Nigerian Air Force, I am glad to
inform you that our gallants troops yesterday liberated Dikwa LGA.
During the battle, troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army destroyed one of
the terrorists’ camp at Faljari village along Dikwa-Maiduguri road,
Borno State.
“There is no doubt that the village has been the terrorists logistics
base. The Nigerian Army wishes to state further that it would not rest
on its oars until all portions of Nigerian soil is reclaimed and made
safe from the terrorists.”
Also on Sunday, the Army said it is set to deploy about 700 soldiers on a United Nations Mission in Liberia for Peacekeeping.
Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Yusuf Buratai who was in Kaduna
for the graduation ceremony of the Pre-deployment Training of NIBBAT 37
at the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre Jaji, warned that the Nigerian
Army would not accept any situation where its troops become soft targets
to rebels or conducting themselves in any unprofessional manner.
He said unprofessional manners such as trafficking in illicit
substances of any kind, including alcohol and drugs contradict United
Nations ethnic.
The training, he continued, was to give them a firm grasp of all the
rudiments involved in protection of civilian and mandated mission.
“Tactics, techniques and procedures imparted on the battalion during
the training would put them in good stead to accomplish the tasks that
will be assigned to them in fulfillment of the mandate of Mission.
“Nigerian Government would not tolerate the contravention of the
policies and directives and advised the troops to work within the rules
of engagement of the mission”.
Commandant of the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre Major-General I.
Birigeni, earlier in his welcome address, urged the soldiers comprising
different units of 3 and 7 Divisions of the Nigerian Army to work hard
to improve on the skills they have imbibed while on training.
He reminded them to always remember the confidence reposed in them as
ambassadors of the Nigerian Army in particular and the Nation in
general.
Source:
Daily Independent Newspaper
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