Guns boom in Kano, Yobe

  

•STEPPING IN: The new National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja…yesterday

-Policeman, four gunmen dead -Security tips for churches, mosques

Guns boomed again in Kano, the North’s commercial engine-room, and Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, last night.

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEAs) were set off in attacks on a police station and a prison in Kano. The Joint Task Force (JTF) returned  fire, combing the area for suspects.

Yesterday’s terror strike coincided with the resumption in Abuja of the newly appointed National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki.

Kano and Damaturu have been the centre of operations by terrorists, particularly the Islamist Boko Haram (Western education is sin).

In Kano, gunmen suspected to be members of the sect stormed the police station and the prison yard near frontline businessman Ishyaku Rabiu’s home in Dala Local Government within the metropolis. They set off explosives and fired guns sporadically.

The incident, which happened from about 5:30 p.m., left residents in fear.

“We heard multiple sounds of explosions followed by shootings. As I am speaking with you now, the frightening sounds of gunshots are still reverberating. We cannot ascertain where the shots and bombings are coming from. 

“People who left for the day’s business cannot come back home. Some of us inside our homes are trapped. No one goes out or comes in. Children and women are wailing. It is a terrible situation,” a resident said on the telephone.

Security sources said the terrorists planted over 20 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) within the area.

 “We were very surprised at the attack. But I want to assure you that we are on top of the situation. As I am speaking to you now, we are taking them on a deadly shootout. There is heavy reinforcement of the JTF.

“We have cordoned off the area with over 15 Hilux vehicles. We warned them and they must surrender. We are not taking chances. They must be brought down to their knees,” a member of the JTF operation team said on telephone.

The Goron Dutse Police Station was attacked with explosives.

Five persons  - a police corporal and four terrorists – were killed, a police source said last night.

Explosions were also heard at Challawa Area near the Mobile Police Formation.

At the spot of the attack, there is a police barracks and a prison and no one could tell the main target of the attack.

As at the time of filing in this report, the total casualty figure could not be ascertained.

In Damaturu, unidentified gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram launched another onslaught  on the city.

Commissioner of Police Patrick Egbuniwe confirmed the incident last night.

The Nation  gathered from Sabon Pegi residents close to the scene of the exchange of fire that “the battle was fiecre and scary”.

There were thunderous blasts and sporadic gunshots that  resonated across the town at about 5:30pm, sending cold shivers in the spines of residents.

Loud explosions were heard near the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu but the CP said the attackers were repelled from entering the school.

He however noted that the police and the Joint Task Force  (JTF) could not ascertain any damage because the incident took place “very late”.

“Right now, we don’t know what damage has been caused because this took place very late as you can see,” Egbuniwe said.

Students of Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu were last Thursday asked to vaccate the campus till further notice following the Monday attacks in the town.

The latest attack came barely 24 hours after the government had further relaxed the 18 hours curfew from 6pm to 7am daily.