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| Boko Haram |
THERE was a heavy presence of soldiers in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, on Friday, following Thursday’s gunfight in the area, in which a soldier and several civilians were killed.
Travellers were said to have been turned back by soldiers, even as they carried out house-to-house search for terrorists in the area.
On Thursday, Saturday Tribune gathered, some gunmen attacked a soft drink depot and stole an unspecified amount of money but had an encounter with security operatives in the process of escape.
Upon realising the presence of the operatives, the bandits reportedly drew the first blood and in the ensuing gunfight between them, a soldier, two of the suspects and several civilians were killed.
Several houses, shops and vehicles were also set ablaze.
Biu is about 187 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the state capital, which has witnessed a series of attacks by suspected Boko Haram members in recent times.
“When I was running to safety, I saw the body of a soldier in uniform and bodies that seemed like those of some of the gunmen and civilians who were caught in the crossfire.
“I am not sure of the number of the casualties because I did not stop to count the bodies. I was running for my life. I also saw some houses and shops on fire,” an eyewitness told Saturday Tribune.
Neither the police nor the Joint Task Force could be reached for comments as of press time.
The Commissioner of Police, Yuguda Abdullahi, did not pick calls made to his phone, while the JTF spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Sagir Musa could not be reached on his telephone.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in Maiduguri, owing to reports of possible attacks by the Boko Haram.
Saturday Tribune learnt that the police and other security operatives were directed to be on the red alert and there was the presence of security operatives conducting stop-and-search operation.
It was also gathered that the JTF has arrested some suspected Boko Haram members in the city, who are currently undergoing interrogations in an undisclosed location (Tribune).
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