At least 14 people, including Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Mohammed Garba, have been confirmed dead following a fierce clash between members of the combined military Joint Task Force (JTF) and the Book Harm Islamist sect on Monday in Potiskum, Yobe State.
Spokesman of JTF, Lieutenant Eli Lazarus, who confirmed the deaths in a chat with journalists in Damaturu, the state capital, said an attempt on the palace of the Emir of Fola, Alhaji Mohammed Ideas Ibn Abali, was repelled by JTF men.
Just months ago, the Emir narrowly escaped an attack by a suicide bomber who had targeted him after Friday jumat prayers around his palace.
“We repelled the attack and succeeded in killing 13 of the suspects,” he said. “Three dead bodies of the suspects were recovered on the streets of Potiskum by the JTF while some of the terrorists succeeded in carrying away 10 of the other dead bodies of their colleagues and escaped with them through the bush.”
Eyewitnesses said members of the Boko Haram sect hit town with sophisticated ammunition and fiercely combated soldiers who had laid ambush for them, using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) all over town, attacking a commercial bank and telecommunication masts of the likes of MTN, Airtel and Etisalat, and setting ablaze the local police station.
Thirteen members of the gang were reported to have been shot dead by JTF men during the exchange, but the terrorists notwithstanding gunned down DPO Garba.
