Members of dread sect, Boko Haram, on Monday attacked two major towns in the North East – Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, and Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
While the insurgents carried out an early morning attack in Damaturu, two female bombers were again used to hit the Monday Market in Maiduguri at about midday.
Insurgents, numbering over 100, sources said, entered into Damaturu as early as 5am, shooting sporadically, bombing targets and razing down houses.
Their first port of call was the Yobe State University.
A resident, who informed The Eagle Online of the development as early as 6:15am, said there was no moment of respite in terms of shooting and explosion until he fled the town via a bush path.
He said he had to travel over 65km by foot alongside his family to safety.
The swift reaction of the military to the development limited the atrocities committed by the dreaded sect.
Fighter jets of the Nigerian Air Force were deployed alongside troops from both Yobe and Borno State to chase the insurgents out of the town.
The Civilian Joint Task Force also joined the military in the operation to rid the town of the insurgents.
By the time the dust from the attack settled, over 80 persons had been killed.
The Commissioner of Police in Yobe State, Marcus Danladi, told newsmen that the Command was dealing with a “serious situation”.
Over 40 Boko Haram members were reportedly killed.
From Maiduguri comes the report that no fewer than 20 persons were killed when suicide bombers attacked the popular Monday Market in the town.
The first to hit the market was a female suicide bomber.
Market men and women who suspected the movement of a woman were said to have approached her to find out the content of a bag with her.
It was at this point that the explosive went off.
Shortly after this, an explosive planted in a vehicle was said to have been detonated, increasing the number of casualties.
Over 50 persons were injured.
Just last week, two female suicide bombers also hit the market, leaving over 60 persons dead.
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