9 Killed As Suspected Islamists Strike In Yobe

Nine persons have been confirmed dead in a renewed clash between security forces and suspected extremist group, Boko Haram in Babbangida town of Yobe state.

Babbangida is the capital of Tarmuwa Local Government Area and is 50 kilometres north of Damaturu the state capital.

Witnesses said the gunmen stormed the Divisional Police Station of the area at the early hours of Thursday and opened fire at the policemen on duty in an encounter that lasted for almost an hour.

The State Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Rufai, who confirmed the incident to Channels Television in Damaturu, said the suspected Islamic terrorists attacked the Divisional Police Station around 1:00am in a shoot out that lasted for an hour.

Though the police repelled the attack, Mr Rufai confirmed that the commands lost four of its personnel in the encounter while two sustained injuries and are receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

He said the police however killed five of the insurgents and injured many but the hoodlums who were in high number went away with their casualties as the authentic number could not be ascertained.

He recalled that this week has being a challenging one for security men in the state; they will not rest on their oars in the search for a sustained peace in the state.

“We will continue to discharge our responsibility as security men by ensuring that law abiding citizen have a condusive atmosphere to go on with their legitimate business.”

The commissioner called for support from the public towards lasting peace in the state.

The attack is coming four days after the insurgents had attacked men of the military Joint Task Force (JTF) in Tumbulgi Village of Geidam local Government Area of the state.

It would also be recalled that the insurgents had in December 2001 attacked Babbangida town setting the local Government Secretariat and the Divisional Police Station ablaze.