DPO killed as gunmen target emir’s palace

[DT]

A divisional police officer and at least 13 other people were killed when gunmen launched a pre-dawn attack in

Potiskum yesterday, targeting the Emir of Fika's palace and a divisional police headquarters.

 This was the second time insurgents targeted the Emir of Fika, Alhaji Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa, the first being through a suicide bombing attack at a Friday prayer mosque on August 3.

In yesterday's strike, gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect stormed the area firing shots, and attempted to destroy the palace and the adjoining divisional police office.

Residents said the police resisted the attack, resulting in a shootout in which the divisional police officer in charge of Potiskum, Muhammad Ali, was killed.

At least 13 other people who military authorities said were insurgents died during the incident, though locals believe civilians might have also been killed by stray bullets.

The divisional police station that was attacked yesterday was burnt down by suspected Boko Haram attackers in 2009 and rebuilt in 2011.

Residents of Potiskum said explosions and gunfire echoed through the town for over three hours yesterday.

The attackers also set fire to the Unity Bank branch in the area.

A resident told Daily Trust: "We can only ascertain the casualty figure when things normalize, for now all of us have been forced to remain indoors. A friend told me that a comprehensive house-to-house search is ongoing."

Sources said sect members also attempted the burn some telecommunication masts in the town but failed.

The Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman, Lieutenant Eli Lazarus, said they recovered three dead bodies of the "suspected terrorists" and at least ten other bodies have been carried away by the attackers.

"The DPO died in the hospital as a result of the gunshot injuries he sustained during the attack," Lazarus said.

A security source told Daily Trust, "The DPO was killed in a cross fire while supplying ammunition to the police who engaged the insurgents before the arrival of JTF operatives."

Daily Trust gathered that the attackers had earlier trailed the emir's convoy on his way back to Potiskum from Kaduna but could not penetrate the motorcade.

Residents of Unguwar Bolawa which is near the palace said they had sleepless night as a result of heavy explosions and gunshots between 1.30am and 6am.

"We couldn't sleep all night long... it was as if the whole battle took place at my backyard. We have been traumatized and as I am talking to you now there is still tension in the town," one resident said.

A resident who did not give his name told the BBC Hausa that the incident started around 1:46am. He said he was woken up by the sound of gunfire which went on till morning.

Yobe State has seen deadly violence linked to the Boko Haram insurgency since last year. Apart from the state capital Damaturu, Potiskum is the worst hit, leaving hundreds dead and social and economic life crippled.

Daily Trust