The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Damaturu

  • Flood destroys two communities in Yobe

    Thousands of people have been displaced by heavy down pour in two communities in Yobe State.

    The heavy rain which started late on Monday night through the early hours of Tuesday sacked Ngelzarma and Jajare communities all in Fune Local Government area of Yobe State.

    According to reports, no life was lost in the two incidents but eyewitnesses informed that more than half of Ngelzarma community a village located on the Damaturu/Potiskum road less than 50km away from Damaturu was affected.

    The State Deputy Governor Engr. Abubakar Aliyu visited the people and sympathised with them over the disaster.

    He directed the ministry of works to take an accurate and professional assessment of the area so as to come up with a lasting solution to the problem.

    Engr. Aliyu also asked the State Emergency Management Agency to provide immediate palliative for the victims who are temporarily camped at the primary school in the community.

    The Executive Secretary of SEMA Idi Jidawa, told our correspondent on phone that he has already dispatched two teams to Ngelzarma and Jajare and that priority is currently on the provision of shelter for the displaced people.

    Jidawa also informed that “the flood in Jajare is so severe that my team to the area could not access the village from the route they followed. They will have to take another route tomorrow to access the village. From what I gathered, the entire village has been surrounded by water,” the SEMA boss said.

     

  • Boko Haram: Damaturu market shut

    Boko Haram: Damaturu market shut

    Traders were yesterday chased out of the Damaturu Sunday Market where a female suicide bomber killed 20 people last week.

    Most of the traders, who came from far, were stranded, as stern-looking soldiers blocked entrances to the market.

    Our correspondent learnt that some traders, who earlier gained entry into the market, were chased out by security agents, who began the exercise about 8:30am.

    The Chairman of the Traders Association in Yobe State, Usman Muazu, decried the action of the security agents.

    He said an announcement ought to have been made at least 48 hours before the market day, to avoid the losses incurred by the traders.

    He listed some of the markets billed for closing as: Kukareta, Damaturu, Ngelzarma, Nanawaji, Katarko, Mafa, Sasawa and Banbangida.

    A military source said a decision was reached between the government and the Joint Task Force (JTF) on the closure of the markets.

    The Office of the Secretary to Yobe State Government and the Office of the Director of Press to Governor Ibrahim Gaidam denied information to that regard.

    The Director of Security, Yakubu Damagum, in a phone chat with our correspondent said he was not aware of any meeting with security operatives concerning the closure of the market.

    Villagers resorted to selling their goods on the roads.

  • Boko Haram: Damaturu market shut by soldiers

    Thousands of villagers and traders were on Sunday chased out of the Damaturu Sunday market where a female suicide bomber killed twenty people exactly a week ago.
    The decision to close the market may not be unconnected with last Sunday’s attack.
    Most of the traders that came from far to attend the market were stranded on arrival at the market as stern looking soldiers blocked all the entrances into the market and prevented them from off-loading their goods for sale.
    Our correspondent gathered that some traders who gained entry into the market early and began transactions were chased out by the security agents at about 8.30 am.
    Hamisu Auwal who sells chicken close to the entrance of the market said that he was lucky to have escaped the wrath of the soldiers whom according to him, came in a commando style and started chasing people out of the market.
    “ I was selling my market and suddenly saw some soldiers drove in a hilux on high speed into the market. I didn’t know what was happening but I thought because of the last suicide attack, they only came to protect people in the market. To my surprise, I heard them shouting, get out! Get out! Everybody get out. I quickly grab some of my chickens on the ground and took to my heels,” Auwal narrated.
    There were reports that some of the traders were brutalized by the soldiers while chasing them out of the market which could not be independently verified.
    Reacting to the incident, the Chairman Traders Association in Yobe State Usman Muazu regretted the action of the security agents.
    He noted that the action of the security could be for the welfare of the people but stressed that an announcement would have been made at least 48 hours before the day of the market so as to avoid the loss incurred by the traders.
    Muazu said that his members got rumours that about eight markets in the state would be closed but there was no official announcement on the matter.
    He listed some of the market billed for closing as: Kukareta; Damaturu; Ngelzarma; Nanawaji; Katarko; Mafa; Sasawa and Banbangida.
    An impeccable military source informed that a decision was reached between the Yobe State Government and the JTF on the closure of the markets and the state government was to make the announcement.
    Both the office of the Secretary to Yobe State Government and the office of the Director of Press to Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam denied knowledge of any information on the closure.
    The Director Security in State Yakubu Damagum in a telephone call with our correspondent said he is not aware of any meeting with security operatives in the state relating to the closure of the market.

  • Update: 19 dead, 47 injured in fresh Damaturu suicide attack

    Update: 19 dead, 47 injured in fresh Damaturu suicide attack

    At least 19 people have been confirmed dead in the suicide attack on a market in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.
    Another 47 are lying critically injured at the General Sani Abatcha Specialist Hospital.
    One of the dead people was identified as a female vigilante who was screening people into the market. She was said to have died instantly as the bomb went off.
    The Medical Director of Gen. Sani Abatcha Specialist Hospital Dr. Garba Fika confirmed the casualty figure to our correspondent.
    He added that two of the victims are undergoing surgery while another two have been referred to Federal Medical Centre Nguru for advance medical care.
    ” From the report that I got, we have 19 dead bodies and 47 injured. Two of the victims are going for surgery while another two have been moved to Federal Medical Centre Nguru,” Dr. Fika stated.
    The Yobe State Police Public Relation Officer ASP Toyin Gbadegesin said the explosive was triggered by a teenage girl of about ten years old.
    He also dismissed speculations that no arrest have been made in connection with the attack.
    The attack according to eyewitness was led by a female suicide bomber who diffused her explosive cladded body that sent a loud sound across the city.
    The attack occurred at about 9.30 am at the popular Sunday Market which is one of the most well attending markets in the metropolis that normally on Sunday.
    Mohammed Ali a vigilante in Damaturu informed that the female bomber pretended to be waiting behind a truck pusher who was being checked on his way into the market and in the process exploded killing their female member who was screening people into the market.
    He dismissed reports that the bomber was a mad woman who was identified.
    “Whoever told you that the bomber is mad is a lie. She is not a mad woman. Nobody knows her around here. No one has seen her before. She came and stood at the back of one kus-kus(local wheelbarrow) that our people were checking. Before they could finish with the kus-kus, she diffused the bomb killing all these people that you see here.
    “Look at that woman,(pointing to one of the female dead bodies)she is our member who was at the gate of the market when the explosion went off,” he informed.

  • Suicide bomber kills 15 in Yobe

    A suicide bomber has killed 15 persons in Damaturu, Yobe state at the entrance of the Sunday market.
    The bomber who was said to be a woman cladded explosives on her body and detonated one of the bombs killing a female vigilante who was screening people into the market.

  • Nigerians condemn Damaturu blasts

    Some Nigerians have expressed shock over the bomb blasts that rocked Damaturu, the Yobe capital, on Friday, leaving many casualities in its trail.

    The respondents, in separate interviews with reporters in Abuja, described the incident as unfortunate, adding that it had ruined the celebratory mood across the land.

    One of the respondents, Mr Musa Salihu, while condemning the act, described the bombing of innocent citizens on a day millions of Muslims faithful across the world were in celebration as a dastardly act that must attract the rebuke of all peace-loving Nigerians.

    “These acts of violence against innocent citizens are an unwarranted affront on our collective safety and freedom; Nigerians must stand as one.

    “The reason I went out to vote was for the peace of Nigeria; I am not saying the President is slow at his duty but, I am saying that he should have a better idea to curb the violence.”

    In her reaction, Mrs Mario Aliyu, expressed her condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the attacks.

    “I am surprised that we still have the problem of Boko haram in Nigeria; last sallah, I and my family were almost victims.

    “There is the need for the Federal Government to reassure all Nigerians of its determination to bring to justice all the perpetrators of today’s acts of violence,” Aliyu said.

    Mr Dada Olayiwola condemned the blast, saying that “the jihadist group that wants to create an Islamic caliphate in northern Nigeria are enemies of the country.”

    “Nigerians must understand the game they are playing and they will fail because nobody can divide us in this country.” he said

    It will be recalled that the bomb occurred in the Gwange area as the Muslim faithful prepared to go to the Eid ground for prayers.

  • Breaking News: Explosions in Damaturu at prayer ground

    Ahead of today’s Sallah celebration, two explosions have been reported early Friday morning in Damaturu, Yobe State.
    The explosions at Phase 1 Eid praying ground was said to have been triggered off by a female suicide bomber.
    An eyewitness told our reporter he counted five dead bodies at the scene.
    More details later.

  • Boko Haram invades Damaturu again

    Boko Haram invades Damaturu again

    FOR the second time in a month, Boko Haram insurgents invaded Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State. Most telecommunications networks were cut off as at press time with residents in emergency lock-up. But the insurgents were repelled last night by troops and other security agents. While Damaturu was burning, the Amnesty International last night expressed fears that the January 3 attack on Baga in Borno State could be the deadliest in the country by the insurgents. According to a reliable source, the insurgents stormed Damaturu at about 8pm on Friday in what appeared a reprisal mission following their humiliation on December 1 when their mission to take over Yobe Government House failed. The source said: “At about 8pm, we got distress calls from Damaturu that Boko Haram insurgents have struck again in the state capital. “Following sporadic gunshots, most residents were forced to lock themselves up. Besides the initial calls, all telephone lines have gone dead in Damaturu. “So, it is difficult to ascertain what had happened as I talk to you.” Another top security source however said: “The report reaching me said that the insurgents attacked a checkpoint in the outskirts of Damaturu and they were successfully repelled by troops. “So, they made a fresh attempt to march on Damaturu but they failed. If I get a contrary information, I will tell you.” Meanwhile, the amnesty International yesterday alleged that the January attack on Muntinational Task Force base in Baga and the fish town could be the deadliest. The group made the claim in a statement by its Nigeria researcher for Amnesty International, Daniel Eyre. Although the statement was not backed up with statistics, the AI appealed to Boko Haram to stop the killing of civilians. The statement said: “The attack on Baga and surrounding towns, looks as if it could be Boko Haram’s deadliest act in a catalogue of increasingly heinous attacks carried out by the group. “If reports that the town was largely razed to the ground and that hundreds or even as many as two thousand civilians were killed are true, this marks a disturbing and bloody escalation of Boko Haram’s ongoing onslaught against the civilian population. “We are currently working to find out more details of what happened during the attack on Baga and the surrounding area. “This attack reiterates the urgent need for Boko Haram to stop the senseless killing of civilians and for the Nigerian government to take measures to protect a population who live in constant fear of such attacks.”

  • Yobe PDP primary: Ngama, others kick

    Yobe PDP primary: Ngama, others kick

    Four Yobe State governorship aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have rejected the primaries held Tuesday evening at the Legacy House in Abuja.

    A former Minister of Police Affairs, Adamu Maina Waziri, emerged the standard bearer.

    But the other aspirants alleged that they were edged out of the primaries.

    The aggrieved aspirants, led by a former Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama, disassociated themselves from what they called a “purported primary election”.

    Addressing reporters in Damaturu, the state capital, Ngama said: “…The purpose of this press conference is essentially to address specifically our teeming PDP supporters in Yobe State and fellow Nigerians on our collective position and disassociate ourselves from the purported primary election held this evening (December 9) at the Legacy House in Abuja on the following grounds:

    “The purported election was conducted in contravention to the provision of Section 50 of the constitution of the PDP as well as the electoral guidelines of 2014 issued by the party.

    “The list of the delegates, who ought to have voted at the purported election, was not made public to the aspirants.

    “None of the three aspirants was informed of the venue, time and necessary arranged preceding the conduct of the primary elections.

    “Out of the total of 670 delegates, only 21 participated in the purported primaries. From the foregoing, it is clear that the whole process of the purported elections was manipulated for the purpose of achieving a pre-determined aim, that is, the emergence of a particular candidate.”

    Maina described his election as the will of God.

    He urged the other aspirants to work with him to defeat the APC in the state.

  • Photos: Damaturu after the attack

    Photos: Damaturu after the attack