128 killed in Yobe Boko Haram attack

GORE gory details of last week's Boko Haram
attacks on Damaturu, the Yobe State capital,
emerged yesterday. No fewer than 128 people
were killed, it was learnt.
Military and hospital reports indicated to
Associated Press (AP) that 23 soldiers, eight
policemen and 95 insurgents were killed in the
five-hour long battle between the Islamic
extremists and troops.
There has been no specific figure given by the
military on the casualty , but the latest
findings showed that the militants had a strong
hand and caught troops by surprise.
The attack came after a lull and almost six
months after the federal government imposed
a state of emergency in Yobe along with Borno
and Adamawa states.
Reporters saw that the extremists set ablaze
four police command posts and an army
barracks where they looted vehicles and
weapons.
Police and witnesses said at least two civilians
died — a man believed killed by the insurgents
and a civil servant shot by soldiers for
breaking the curfew.
Also yesterday, the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR) urged
neigbouring countries to keep their borders
open for Nigerians fleeing the escalating
violence and who may be in need of
international protection.
The Geneva-based agency also advised states
against forced return of people to the region.
Spokesperson Dan McNorton told reporters:
"Our recommendations are contained in a
newly issued Return Advisory, which seeks to
ensure that humanitarian and asylum
principles are upheld in light of the worsening
security situation in northeastern Nigeria."