Two military formations located at Katarko village, including an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) belonging to troops were around 5:15 pm Wednesday razed by suspected Boko Haram insurgents who attacked the community.
Yobe Commissioner of Police, Sunmonu Abdulmaliki in an interview, confirmed the attack to DAILY POST, disclosing that, “Yesterday, I received a distress call from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Gujba last night that there was an attack in Katarko, that suspected insurgents came with eight Hilux look-alike vehicles and about 14 motorcycles”.
He added that briefs received from his officers, indicated that the military camp in Katarko plus an APC were completely razed, including one military vehicle.
“Human casualties have not come on for now, however, I am aware that the military are mopping up”, the CP disclosed.
DAILY POST correspondent, who visited the village on Thursday, reports that yesterday’s attack has grounded commercial activities as the locals are now gradually returning from near-by bushes where they passed their night.
It was also learnt that there is still tension and anxiety among the locals.
Hamisu Maigari, a resident of Katarko, while narrating his ordeal, said, “Yesterday at about 5:15 pm suspected Boko Haram insurgents came to our village then we heard sporadic gunshots and we ran to the bush for our lives”.
He revealed that to his knowledge, no civilian lost his or her life as all young and old, women and children ran away, adding that the attackers did not burn any house or public structure but went straight to the military formations and torched them.
Another local who goes by the name Audu Haladu said, “the attack took us by surprise, we thought Boko Haram has ended”.
Haladu disclosed that the suspected insurgents carted away two vulcanizing machines belonging to locals.
“The attackers did not kill anyone or steal from the food stores, they only attacked the two military bases situated in the community,” he said.
To Mohammadu Abdullahi, one of the Katarko residents, the attack will not deter them from staying in the village.
“We will continue to stay in Katarko, we are not going anywhere. We want the government to bring more security personnel to the village for the protection of our lives and property”, he stated.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has said that troops of 120 battalion deployed in Operation Lafia Dole have successfully foiled an attempt by Boko Haram insurgents to attack one of their locations at Katarko, in Gujba local government area of Yobe state, following a tip off.
This was contained in a press release signed by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Texas Chukwu and made available to DAILY POST which indicated that the troops swung into action and were able to push the terrorists backward following a superior fire power of the troops.
“However, some members of the terrorists group escaped into nearby bushes and efforts are on by the troops to get the fleeing members of the group,” the statement read.
It also advised residents of Yobe state in general and Katarko in particular to go about their legitimate businesses and to report any suspicious activity or movement in their areas to law enforcement agents for prompt action.
Comments