4th January, 2015
Suspected Boko Haram militants have launched an attack on Babban Gida town, the headquarters of Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State north-east Nigeria, residents said.
According to a report monitored on Channels TV, Sporadic gunshots were heard across the town as the rebellious group arrived by 6:30 p.m on Saturday and engaged Nigeria’s security forces in a gun battle.
Babban Gida is 50 kilometres north of Damaturu the state capital. The town had experienced series of Boko Haram attacks in the past.
Residents said the militants pounded the military base located north of the town and the police station situated in the southern part, as well as the Local Government Secretariat, the Government’s Lodge and the boarding primary school of the area.
The Weekly Trust however reported that the militants have been subdued after the military asked for reinforcement. But before then, the attackers had set ablaze both the military camp and the LG secretariat
A resident, Mohammed Lurwan, said he sighted smokes and flames going up at the northern part of the town.
Chairman, Tarmuwa Local Government Council, Alhaji Samaila Mai Adamu confirmed that part of the secretariat was burnt and the military base destroyed. He however said “the situation is under control as soldiers have dispatched reinforcement.”
A security personnel in Babban Gida town told Channels Television that report of a possible attack on the town by the militants was heard some days back but expressed dismay that no meaningful measures were taken to avert the purported attack.
Saturday’s attack brings to four the major towns of Yobe State being attacked by the insurgents within a period of one month as Damaturu, Damagum, and Geidam were attacked in December.