By Muhammad Gambo, Damaturu
Boko Haram attempt to overrun Damaturu, Yobe State Capital was unsuccessful as they were repelled by the military.
The residents of the town were forced to scamper for safety with streets deserted as gun shots and heavy explosions were heard along Gashua road at the outskirts of the town.
Many motorists who were trying to travel out of Damaturu through Gashua roads were turned back by the military.
It was gathered from some residents who spoke to our correspondent on phone that the siege was at about 5pm.
The military first engaged the insurgents in a crossfire but had to call for air reinforcements as the battle seems to drag.
It was until the warplane which apparently flew in from Maiduguri bombarded the insurgents that the military could push them back.
Though it was hard as at press time to give the number of casualties but residents said the insurgents were dealt mortal damage.
Three residents, Zannah Zakariya, Hassan Salisu and Fatima Abdullahi, of Sindiri village along Gasua road, about 10 kilometres from Damaturu who spoke separately with our correspondent on phone confirmed the attack.
They said they heard heavy gun fire around military checkpoint at the Police Headquarters along Gashua Road in Damaturu.
They also said two NAF jets flew over the area engaging the insurgents in fire.
Sources living around the attacked area, told our correspondent that the attackers suspected to be Boko Haram came close to lay siege on Damaturu.
They said the insurgents are believed to have come from Sasawa village through Dab-nya.
Located at that axis are villages linking Yobe and Borno. They have thick vegetation and link Yobe with northern part of Borno State, which is believed to be one of the enclaves of Boko Haram.
