6 killed as Boko Haram attacks banks, Police hqtrs in Bauchi

  

Bauchi — Six persons were killed, yesterday, while five others were injured when gunmen attacked Police Area Command headquarters and two new generation banks at Azare Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikechukwu Aduba, who confirmed this to newsmen at the police headquarters in Bauchi said the gunmen, whose numbers were yet to be ascertained, launched a ferocious attack at about 1 a.m. at the police facilities at Azare with 20 rocket launchers and locally made bombs, which completely devastated the entire Area Command’s Headquarters.

According to the Commissioner of Police, “the attack was launched simultaneously at six facilities including the mobile base, the area commander’s police station, two new generation banks and one Ali Kwara’s residence.

“Instantly, the men on duty, numbering over 30, were deployed at various sandbags within the premises of the Area Commander office, put up a spirited effort to repel the attackers and their dogged refusal to give in limited the attackers, thus obviating a spill over effect into the barracks and surrounding inhabitants, which could have resulted to more civilian casualties.”

Ikechukwu, who revealed that there was a heavy exchange of fire which lasted about four hours, described Bauchi State as a flash point with seven border outlets, saying the police intelligence source indicates that the invaders came from one of the neighbouring states

While saying that the police was still investigating the case, the Police boss called on members of the public to assist the security in the state, by being part of the holistic intelligence network, because security is everybody’s business.

By Suzan Edeh