DPO, 13 others killed as JTF, gunmen clash in Yobe

BY NDAHI MARAMA

MAIDUGURI — Gunmen suspected to be terrorists, yesterday, laid ambush to Potiskum town in Yobe State where they killed the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Mr. Mohammed Garba.

The gunmen also set ablaze using Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, a branch of Unity Bank, telecommunication masts belonging to Etisalat, MTN and Airtel as well as a police station.

Thirteen of the alleged terrorists were also said to have died in the gun duel with members of the Joint Task Force

An unconfirmed report also had it that the terrorists attempted to attack the palace of the Emir of Fika, Alhaji Mohammed Idrissa Ibn Abale, which was foiled by the JTF stationed in the palace.

It was gathered that yesterday’s attack and killing took place at about 2 a.m, when some terrorists laid ambush to some military check points, Unity Bank office/branch, police station and telecom masts which resulted in an exchange of gun fire from the JTF, where a DPO, and 13 other suspected terrorists were killed.

Confirming the incident to newsmen in Damaturu, the state capital, the JTF spokesman, Lt. Eli Lazarus said there was an attack by some Boko Haram terrorists in Potiskum town where a DPO was killed.

He said: “We repelled the attack and succeeded in killing 13 of the suspects. 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 through the bush.”

He noted that the JTF had already swung into action in order to arrest the fleeing suspects, even as he stressed that the whole town has been cordoned off with a view to prevent further attacks and killing.