Not less than five suspected Boko Haram and two policemen were today killed during a shootout In Gashua town, Bade Local government area of Yobe state, Security official said
Spokesman of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Yobe State, Lieutenant Eli Lazarus, said in a press statement sent to reporters in Maiduguri.
Lazarus said that most of the Boko Haram gunmen fled in the heat of the shoot abandoning their vehicles and cache of arms.
“At about 12 mid night Thursday 25 April 2013, unknown gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram Terrorists attacked JTF location in Gashua town, the Police Area Command and Gashua Divisional Police Station. Men of the JTF were able to repel and contain the attack on its location. Reinforcement was however dispatched swiftly and was able to engage the terrorists.
“Two police officers were killed in the attack while five of the suspected terrorists lost their lives during the encounter. Some of the suspected terrorists escaped in two vehicles with injuries while others are believed to still be in the town.
” The fleeing terrorists took away one police Hilux vehicle fitted with siren at the top, one other vehicle, police uniforms and other items from the Police stations.
“Items recovered include; One Toyota Corolla Car, One Peugeot 406 Saloon Car, One Isuzu Pick Up Van, One AK 47 Rifle, One Police Anti-Riot Gun, One Locally Made Pistol, One Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Bomb, One Generating Set and Large Quantity of Ammunition.
“The public is enjoined to be mindful of the fact that the terrorists are still around and are bent on wrecking havoc and instilling fear in law abiding citizens in other to make life unbearable for them. Let no one be in doubt however, that JTF would continue to respond appropriately to such attacks.” Lazarus said.
The Task Force urges all law abiding citizens to remain calm as it is currently on top of the situation. A search operation is currently ongoing in Gashua town.
Meanwhile the Yobe state government has in a statement impose a curfew in the town from 4pm through 1pm.