Boko Haram yesterday attacked Katarko village in Gujba Local Government Area located 22 kilometres to the south part of Yobe State capital, Damaturu. The attack came two days after the insurgents launched attack on a military base at Kukareta, 22 kilometres east of Damaturu, Yobe State capital, where they killed 13 soldiers and destroyed their base, including clinic belonging to the internal displace person. It was learnt that the attackers stormed the town about 5.25p.m. yesterday. At press time, gunfire was still booming around the military location on the outskirts of the town. A resident, Lawan Muhammed, who escaped the attack, said the assailants drove to the town in 10 Hilux vans and started shooting sporadically, while many people ran into the bush for safety.
He said: “We were told by villagers at Kasesa village that the militants were moving towards our area, but before we could even tell families they had arrived. We all scampered for safety leaving them at their mercy.” Another resident said that sporadic gunshots were still on as thick smoke engulfed the sky in the area.
“The smoke is coming from the direction of the primary school,” he added. The resident also complained that they were taking refuge in the bush along with women and children despite the intense harmattan breeze. Katarko town had on November 7, 2018, about two months ago, suffered similar attack. At press time, military authorities were yet to release official statement on the fresh attack by the Boko Haram. When contacted, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sunmonu Adeyemi Abdulmalik, confirmed the attack. He, however, said that details were still not clear.
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