-Police: Foreigners behind mayhem
-CPC, ACN fault President’s trip
-Senate meets over insecurity
-24-hr curfew in Kaduna, Damaturu
LAWMAKERS
resolved yesterday to invite President Goodluck Jonathan to tell them
what he is doing to rein in the violence in the land.
Also yesterday, Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, which was the scene of a gun battle on Monday, began counting its loss.
The
Nigeria Red Cross, according to its official Andronicus Adeyemo, said 25
people, among them five security operatives, died in the attacks.
But a doctor said the figure of the dead is higher.
“So
far, 34 bodies have been taken to the mortuary, but we expect the death
toll to rise,” said the doctor, who pleaded not to be named.
A
source at the hospital mortuary said: “I counted over 32 bodies, as at
noon. It is over three hours now and I am sure the number may increase
to 40 or even 50 because I saw police still bringing in bodies in
batches.
“I also counted five dead policemen in uniform.”
In
Kaduna, there was tension as clashes were reported in some areas. The
government reimposed a 24-hour curfew, which it had earlier to 12 hours.
Damaturu remained deserted all yesterday. Many families have been displaced.
Commissioner
of Police Patrick Egbuniwe said: “Our men are still mopping up the
town. So, we cannot, at the moment, tell you exactly how many of the
sect members were killed but many of them were killed.
“We
lost three policemen, four hospitalised with gunshot wounds. They were
not able to get the Area Command Office and the Police Headquarters.
They were repelled.
“Their
attack was mainly on security agents and government property. A UBE
primary school in Sabon Pegi was bombed by the attackers,” Egbuniwe
said.
The police chief said 32 arrests were made, adding that his men were on patrol and that the situation was under control.
Residents of Pompomari, a Damaturu suburb, have all left their homes.
Those
who have relatives in the estates which seem to be relatively peaceful
for now, have relocated to such places. Scores of others, mostly women
and children, were seen at Waziri Ibrahim Estate Primary School and the
Junior Day Secondary School Susuma. They were in deplorable conditions.
Some of the children were crying for water and food.
Our correspondent gathered that most of the families abruptly left their homes without any contigency plan.
Aisha,
34, a mother of five at the Susuma Secondary School, told our
correspondent that the only thing she could think of was her children
and not food.
“We
only had to get out of that war zone for our safety. It is only today
that we are thinking about food. Though my last child cried throughout
the night for food, it’s better that we are alive,” Aisha said.
The
problems of the displaced women and children, The Nation learnt is
further complicated by the 24-hour curfew imposed on Damaturu as nobody
could go out to search for food or water.
Governor Ibrahim Gaidam imposed a 24-hour curfew within Damaturu metropolis.
A
statement by Abdullahi Bego, his Special Assistant on Presss Affairs and
Information, reads: “Residents are hereby directed to remain in their
homes while officers and men of the Joint Task force (JTF) and other
security agencies continue with their effort to ensure peace and
security and the protection of lives and property.
“The
24-hour curfew directive is for Damaturu metropolis only. Restriction of
movement for other parts of the State, except Potiskum Town, still
remains 10pm to 6am daily. Restriction of movement in Potiskum Town
remains 6.00pm to 6.00am daily.
“Governor
Gaidam calls on members of the general public to continue to give
maximum cooperation to the JTF and other security agencies in their
effort to ensure the safety of life and property.
“The
Governor also calls on people not to relent in their prayers for the
Almighty Allah (SWT) to restore peace in our state and the nation in
general”.
Also
yesterday, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Congress for
Progressive Change (CPC) lashed out at the President for going to Brazil
when Nigeria is not at peace.
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