As death toll in the Sunday attack by suspected Boko Haram members on the Yobe State College of Agriculture, Guijba, increased to 90 students, there were strong indications Monday night that the insurgents, who perpetrated the gruesome act, had been sighted in a forest between Yobe and Borno states.
Heavy shelling of the forests was ongoing last night, The NATION has learnt, even as troops have secured the College of Agriculture, Gujba and its vicinity. Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim has reportedly ordered deployment of more troops in Yobe for a battle-to-the-finish with the insurgents.
A top source said: “Our troops are in pursuit of those who perpetrated the incident in Gujba. These insurgents have been sighted by troops in the forests between Yobe and Borno states. The troops have boxed the insurgents in the forests and they are advancing towards them. Heavy shelling is going on as I speak with you. I cannot give you an update more than this now.”
On the situation in Gujba, the source added: “The place has been secured and the vicinity is under control. Troops are doing their best to protect all public institutions which had been major targets of the insurgents.”
Another source however said: “There had been clashes between troops and the insurgents in the last six hours. We learnt the insurgents opened fire at troops who also hit back at them. There might have been casualties on both sides.”
Spokesman of Defence Headquarters, Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, Monday night, said: “There are troops already deployed in and around the school. At the moment, there are no insurgents around the school. Troops are still in pursuit of the terrorists. There is an ongoing operation in a forest area between Yobe and Borno states where the terrorists were sighted.
“Other details would be made available as the mission progresses,” the source said.
The NATION
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