Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri
Four persons including two suicide bombers and a member of the youth vigilante group and another person lost their lives Thursday night during a foiled attack on Jidari Polo area of Maiduguri, Borno State.
According to the Borno State Police Command, two members of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and seven other persons were injured, while a police Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was damaged.
A statement issued Friday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Edet Okon, said: “Yesterday being 26/04/18 at about 1700hrs, Boko Haram terrorists launched a surprise attack at Jidari Polo area of Maiduguri near the Federal High Court.
“The terrorists fired sporadically and detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The Borno State Police Command promptly deployed combat teams of SARS, PMF and EOD to support the military and the divisional police officer of GRA division who were already at the scene. The insurgents were successfully repelled by the security forces after fierce gun battle with profuse tear smoke application.â€
He said: “There was no casualty on the side of the police apart from two SARS personnel that were injured in the battle. A police Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was also damaged by IED explosions. Seven other persons were severely injured.
“Four persons including a CJTF and 2 female suicide bombers were killed in crossfire and IED explosions. The victims and corpses have been evacuated to the state specialist hospital in Maiduguri.â€
He assured residents of the city that normalcy has been restored in the area, stating that: “The Commissioner of Police Borno State, CP Damian Chukwu, therefore urges members of the public to go about their lawful activities without fear. He also urges residents of the state to always promptly report suspicious persons and activities to the police or other security agencies for prompt action.â€
He said: “Meanwhile preemptive deployments are being put in place to forestall further surprises.â€
