22nd June, 2012
Ben Adaji/Jalingo
At least 200 Boko Haram members have been killed since the renewed attack on the group by security agents which began in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital on 18 June.
The group had taken security agents by surprise and launched attacks on the capital city of Yobe state with bombings and shootings.
An eye-witness told P.M.NEWS that the group held Damaturu town hostage for over six hours before a combined team of soldiers and mobile policemen from neighbouring states were deployed to Damaturu.
P.M.NEWS reports that there was a heavy gun battle between the security agents and the group between 18 and 20 June, a situation that forced the state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam, to declare a 24-hour curfew on the capital city.
P.M.NEWS further gathered from top security sources that when the situation was brought under control by the security agents, over 200 members of the sect had been killed while eight security agents including soldiers and mobile policemen died.
The state police Commissioner, Patrick Ogunlewe, confirmed the death of the eight security agents but said the police were yet to ascertain the actual number of the sect members killed in the attack.
He however said normalcy has been restored in the town.
Meanwhile, in order to allow Muslims and Christians to go to Mosque and church for worship, Kaduna State government has relaxed the curfew only on Fridays and Sundays.
On Friday , movement would be allowed from 12pm to 4pm. And on Saturday , movement would be completely restricted as the 24 hours curfew will be enforced again.
While on Sunday, movement will only be allowed between 9am and 1pm .
The decision to allow movement on the two worship days came after an emergency meeting between government, security agencies, traditional leaders and religious leaders.
However, in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to Kaduna State governor on Media, Reuben Buhari, Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa sued for peace and understanding among Christians and Muslims in the state.
—Ben Adaji/Jalingo & Femi Adi/ Kaduna