The Joint Task Force ((JTF) of the Military in Yobe State has announced a 24-hour curfew on Potiskum, the trade nerve of the north-eastern state.
Spokesman of JTF, Captain Lazarus Eli announced the curfew but kept mum on the considerations that led to the action.
“The Joint Task Force announces the imposition of 24 hour curfew in Potiskum commencing from today, 6th August 2013,” he said, urging residents of Potiskum town are enjoined to “remain calm and cooperate with security agencies until the curfew is lifted.”
Boko Haram’s last major attack around Postiskum was on 6th July when 29 students and a teacher identified as Mohammed Musa were killed in a boarding school in Mamudo a town very close to Potiskum.
However, on Tuesday, there were reports of gunfire and explosions in the region following the Monday night outbreak of clashes in Gamboru Ngala town on the border with Cameroon.
“We have been bombarded with explosions and sounds of gunfire since yesterday evening,” a resident of Gamboru Ngala said. “The fighting began after someone who runs errands for immigration officers was shot and wounded.”
Another resident said that after contacting some people in other parts of the town, he was able to ascertain huge military deployment in town. He also said house-to-house searches had begun in the two flashpoints.
