BREAKING NEWS:‎ Damaturu under heavy Boko Haram attack

Damaturu, the capital of Yobe state is under heavy attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists who, according to fleeing residents, may have surrounded the town.

Explosions and gunshots are being heard in some parts of the Yobe State capital.

A resident of Damaturu, Yaya Haruna, told PREMIUM TIMES that the shooting started at about 6a.m.

“It is as if they have surrounded us all here; there is sound of explosion and serious shooting. We are all lying down on the floor with our families ; please pray for our safety, that we survive this… ”

“We are in serious confusion now, we are just hearing gunshots and explosions on the southern part of the city and people are fleeing”, said another embattled resident, Malam Abdulmalik.

The resident said he was woken by loud sounds of gunshots and explosions which started at about 6am.

An official of the SSS in Maiduguri, who usually doesn’t want to be named in the media, confirmed in a text message sent to our reporter that “Damaturu may be under attack now”.

Damaturu is 135 km West of Maiduguri, Borno State capital.