A group of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in at least 10 gun trucks engaged in a fierce gun battle with troops stationed in Geidam, Yobe State Wednesday evening.
Geidam, a Local Government Area in the north of Yobe near the border with Borno state and the Niger Republic, came under attack around 5:50 pm.
HumAngle learnt that residents were warned about an imminent attack since 2 pm when communities located in the countryside notified Geidam residents of insurgents’ movements before advancing to the town.
Troops of 159 Battalion are deployed in Sector 2 of Nigeria’s counterinsurgency operation, Lafiya Dole, based in Geidam.
The gun battle between the troops and insurgents was intense and terrifying, witnesses said.
An audibly terrified resident who spoke to Premium Times described the gunshots as massive.
“The gunshot outside is so much. I can’t talk now please,” the Geidam resident said.
Abdulkarim Dungus, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, also informed the paper that he heard the Divisional Police Officer of Geidam firing from his gun when he tried to contact him.
“I called my DPO in Geidam and he is also under fire. I could hear the gunshot from him. He has promised to call back,” Dungus said.
HumAngle understands that the attack was repelled and guns went silent around 8:30 pm.
Support Our Journalism
There are millions of ordinary people affected by conflict in Africa whose stories are missing in the mainstream media. HumAngle is determined to tell those challenging and under-reported stories, hoping that the people impacted by these conflicts will find the safety and security they deserve.
To ensure that we continue to provide public service coverage, we have a small favour to ask you. We want you to be part of our journalistic endeavour by contributing a token to us.
Your donation will further promote a robust, free, and independent media.
Donate Here
