TheCable

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents struck at Gaidam, hometown of Ibrahim Gaidam, governor of Yobe state, around 4pm on Wednesday.

The attack happened hours after suicide bombers killed 18 people, including themselves, at Buhari housing estate in Damaturu, the state capital.

A source told TheCable that the insurgents opened fire on people at the main market in the town and set many shops ablaze.

“Today is the market day in the town and the terrorists just came from different directions. They started shooting  people and looting shops, especially the stores with food stuff,” he said.

“Many were killed and several shops were set ablaze. They operated for over 1 hour before the military intervened. When the soldiers came, the militants did not run away, they engaged them in a gun battle that lasted for long.”

Toyin Gbadegesin, the police public relations officer of the state, confirmed the attack but said the situation was under control.

Gaidam, which shares land border with Niger republic, suffered an attack in March, forcing residents to flee the country.

Commenting on the Damaturu incident,  the state governor urged security agencies to gather intelligence that would prevent more attacks.

Yobe is among the the three states in the north-east, where activities of the insurgents are high.