TheCable

David  Mark, president of the Nigerian senate, has described the attack by Boko Haram on Damaturu, capital of Yobe state, as one of frightening dimension because the insurgents got to the government house where they were repelled by Nigerian troops.

Damaturu came under attack by Boko Haram militants on Monday, but a combined effort of the Nigerian army and the air force stopped the insurgents from advancing into the state government house.

Speaking at the opening of Tuesday’s plenary session, Mark expressed shock at the incident, saying he was in touch with Ibrahim Geidam, governor of the state, while the attack was going on.

“Yesterday’s attack was a frightening dimension because the insurgents were able to get to the government house,” he said.

Narrating the incident on the floor of the senate, Ahmed Ibrahim Lawal, a senator representing Yobe north, praised the Nigerian military, describing them as “soldiers of valour”.

“Our military battled the insurgents and controlled the situation. Our soldiers were determined to fight yesterday,” he said.

“They fought very gallantly and exhibited valour. And they did that because they had motivation, not because there was any state of emergency.”

Lawal’s statement relating to the state of emergency earned him caution from Mark, who urged him not to make controversial statements.