Suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Sunday evening attacked Babangida community, the headquarters of Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State.
According to PREMIUM TIMES the attack was confirmed by an army spokesman who said the terrorists’ plan was to attack Damaturu, the state capital.
He said however that the plan was foiled by security operatives who repelled the attack.
A top security official in Damaturu, the state capital, also told PREMIUM TIMES that many residents of Babangida ran out of the town into the bush for safety while others hid in their houses when the attack occurred.
The security source, who was briefed on the attack, said the insurgents entered the town with five gun trucks while two others were parked on the outskirts of the town.
A resident of the area said the insurgents burnt mobile phone masts in the town.
“Someone told me that he saw the boys burning down the masts of MTN and Airtel in the town,” the source, who was not in the town when the attack occurred, said.
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PREMIUM TIMES reported making attempts to speak to residents who were in the town when the attack occurred, but couldn’t as their phone lines did not connect Lending credence to the claim of the destruction of masts.
Meanwhile, the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Sector 2 Operation Lafiya Dole, Damaturu, Chinonso Oteh, confirmed the attack.
He said the intention of the insurgents was to infiltrate Damaturu, the state capital.
According to Oteh, an army lieutenant, “the attempt by the insurgents to infiltrate Damaturu actually failed because of our superior fire and Airforce support that was provided by the Nigerian Air Force.
“Actually, Babangida is the area that those bad boys always gather before they start coming to Damaturu.
“Everything is under control. There is no cause for alarm,” he added.
Babangida is about 50km from Damaturu, Yobe State capital. The town has been attacked three times in the past several months.
