Two military formations located at Katarko village, including an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) belonging to troops were around 5:15 pm last Wednesday razed by suspected Boko Haram insurgents who attacked the community.
Yobe Commissioner of Police, Sunmonu Abdulmaliki in an interview, confirmed the attack to newsmen , disclosing that, “Yesterday, I received a distress call from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Gujba last night that there was an attack in Katarko, that suspected insurgents came with eight Hilux look-alike vehicles and about 14 motorcycles”.
He added that briefs received from his officers, indicated that the military camp in Katarko plus an APC were completely razed, including one military vehicle.
“Human casualties have not come on for now, however, I am aware that the military are mopping up”, the CP disclosed.
Our correspondent, who visited the village yesteday, reports that Wednesday attack has grounded commercial activities as the locals are now gradually returning from near-by bushes where they passed their night.
It was also learnt that there is still tension and anxiety among the locals.
Hamisu Maigari, a resident of Katarko, while narrating his ordeal, said, “Yesterday at about 5:15 pm suspected Boko Haram insurgents came to our village then we heard sporadic gunshots and we ran to the bush for our lives”.
He revealed that to his knowledge, no civilian lost his or her life as all young and old, women and children ran away, adding that the attackers did not burn any house or public structure but went straight to the military formations and torched them.
Another local who goes by the name Audu Haladu said, “the attack took us by surprise, we thought Boko Haram has ended”.
Haladu disclosed that the suspected insurgents carted away two vulcanizing machines belonging to locals. “The attackers did not kill anyone or steal from the food stores, they only attacked the two military bases situated in the community,” he said.