Maiduguri-Damaturu Road Shut As RRS Engages Boko Haram

The major highway between Borno and Yobe states,
Maiduguri-Damaturu highway was closed to traffic for about two
hours yesterday as men of the Borno State Rapid Respond Squad
engaged Boko Haram in a long shootout.

According to security source, the insurgents had taken a drive
through the desert part with the intention of blocking the highway
to kidnap travellers.

The source said they were however spotted by men of the RRS
deployed on the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway who engaged them in
shootout

The shootout which started at about 3p.m. lasted for about an
hour and half.

The RRS was about to thwart their movement as they were able to
destabilise the insurgents after several shot of canisters of
teargas.

According to the source, the insurgents had to retreat as they
could not withstand the teargas

Though no one was said to have been lost on the two sides, but
two armored vehicles belonging to the RRS were said to be destroyed
in the attack.

The source said: “Boko Haram terrorist attacks at Garin Kuturu
along Maiduguri- Damaturu road today at about 1630hrs was thwarted
by RRS.

“The use of tear gas gave the police upper hand, while Boko
Haram launched attacks on CTU and RRS Vehicle, the road was blocked
for the commuters, after neutralising the road and ensuring safety
of the civilians, they were escorted to Auno,

“Efforts to kidnap passengers was thwarted, the road is safe, no
any form of abduction,” the source said the operation against the
insurgents was led by Commander RRS Borno State, Abioye
Babalola

The security source also revealed that two vehicles, a Sharon
and Toyota Camry with registration number PKM 512 XA and KANO TRN
77 SY were recovered from the insurgents.

The Commandant RRS, Abioye Babalola confirmed the incident when
he was called by our correspondent but did not however give the
details

He said normalcy had been brought to the highway and commuters
were able to travel on the road again.

The major highway between Borno and Yobe states,
Maiduguri-Damaturu highway was closed to traffic for about two
hours yesterday as men of the Borno State Rapid Respond Squad
engaged Boko Haram in a long shootout.

According to security source, the insurgents had taken a drive
through the desert part with the intention of blocking the highway
to kidnap travellers.

The source said they were however spotted by men of the RRS
deployed on the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway who engaged them in
shootout

The shootout which started at about 3p.m. lasted for about an
hour and half.

The RRS was about to thwart their movement as they were able to
destabilise the insurgents after several shot of canisters of
teargas.

According to the source, the insurgents had to retreat as they
could not withstand the teargas

Though no one was said to have been lost on the two sides, but
two armored vehicles belonging to the RRS were said to be destroyed
in the attack.

The source said: “Boko Haram terrorist attacks at Garin Kuturu
along Maiduguri- Damaturu road today at about 1630hrs was thwarted
by RRS.

“The use of tear gas gave the police upper hand, while Boko
Haram launched attacks on CTU and RRS Vehicle, the road was blocked
for the commuters, after neutralising the road and ensuring safety
of the civilians, they were escorted to Auno,

“Efforts to kidnap passengers was thwarted, the road is safe, no
any form of abduction,” the source said the operation against the
insurgents was led by Commander RRS Borno State, Abioye
Babalola

The security source also revealed that two vehicles, a Sharon
and Toyota Camry with registration number PKM 512 XA and KANO TRN
77 SY were recovered from the insurgents.

The Commandant RRS, Abioye Babalola confirmed the incident when
he was called by our correspondent but did not however give the
details

He said normalcy had been brought to the highway and commuters
were able to travel on the road again.