Boko Haram Slaughters 24 Soldiers, Police In Bloody Yobe Attack

The battle against Boko Haram Insurgency was dealt a cruel blow on Monday when scores of Nigerian security forces fighting the insurgency in Yobe state were killed in a dawn attack in Buni Yadi, headquarter of Gujba Local Government.

Buni Yadi is the village where Boko Haram slaughtered 59 pupils while sleeping in their dormitory on February 25,
esidents in the village said the hoodlums came into the town with one Armoured Personal Carrier vehicle (APC) and six Hilux vans, shooting sporadically in the air through the town as they headed for security formations where they lunched their dastardly attacks.
The Joint Task Force (JTF) and the police in Yobe State have been reluctant to release the casualty figure but Police Commissioner Marcus K. Danladi confirmed the incident.
“I am just coming back from Buni Yadi and I need to sit down to gather my facts together before giving it out,” the Commissioner of  Police Danladi said.
Police spokesman Nansak Chegwam also said information at hand was
sketchy, saying investigation had started.
A security source said 17 soldiers and 14 policemen including a woman were killed in the dastardly attack.
Another source said those killed were 10 soldiers and 15 policemen.
A Divisional Police Office (DPO), Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) were among those killed, it was gathered.
The attackers stormed the town around 6:03 pm and unleashed terror on the security.
A senior officer of Gujba Local Government who pleaded anonymity said the police barrack, the Divisional Police Station, and the military base in the area were burnt down.
Other places razed by the blood thirsty insurgents include; the palace of the district head of Buni-Yadi Alhaji Abba Hassan Muktar, a personal houses and the palace of the Emir of Buni-Yadi Alhaji Muktar Ali Gangaran were also vandalised by the insurgents.
Witnesses said the insurgents were armed with various weapons and petrol bombs.
A resident who escaped the attack said the attackers drove in pick-up trucks, armoured tanks and motorcycles
The eye witness who pleaded not to be named said the attack was clearly targeted at security operatives unlike past attacks that civilian also fell victims.
“We were shocked and terrified in the evening when a gang of armed Boko Haram burst into this town, chanting that they were here for the soldiers and policemen; and not the civilians. Don’t panic, we will not touch you. All of you are safe today (Monday). As they attacked the military posts, they proceeded
to the police station, the magistrate court and our council secretariat complex; and put fire on them.
“Some of the people however fled their houses and shops for safety, despite assurance of attackers not to kill anyone of them. Residents living near the police station and military posts however; fled to nearby bushes and farmlands,” Abubakar said.
It was gathered that security operatives moved to Buni Yadi to ascertain the impact of the attack. A top emergency security meeting was summoned by the state government in Damaturu, the state capital.
Deputy Governor Abubakar Aliyu met with the Police Commissioner, the JTF Commander and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) where he was briefed on the incident.
Military and hospital ambulances were also sighted along Maiduguri road in Damaturu with heavy military escorts.