Boko Haram abducts Yobe district head

Boko Haram terrorists have abducted the district head of Maganna, Alhaji Zannah Laisu Kaigama during an attack on Geidam town, Yobe State, on Wednesday.

The insurgents damaged many shops, razed some houses and carted away medical consumables.

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A resident in Geidam, who does not want to be named for security reasons, said the attack had caused fear among the residents, saying the insurgents operated for almost seven hours with little resistance from the security operatives.

“The attackers stormed the town in five Hilux vehicles, firing gunshot in the air and residents scampered for safety,” he said.

The Executive Secretary, Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Mohammed Goje, who visited Geidam for an on-the-spot assessment, said normalcy had returned to the area.

He said: “About 5 shops, 4 market stalls, 1 kiosk and a bungalow belonging to a community leader with a saloon car were completely set burnt.

“Also vandalised were some offices in the General Hospital, Geidam, and the pharmacy store, where medical consumables, antibiotics and other drugs were catered away.”

He further said that a car belonging to a security formation was also taken away but no life was lost.

“While this attack is sad and unfortunate, the prayers of the community and gallant efforts by the military have resulted in minimising the damages,” he said.

Meanwhile, the state Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide emergency support to the victims.

Buni, who commiserated with the people of Geidam, described the attack as most unfortunate.

“The attack came at a time when there is a general improvement in peace and security across the state

“The improvement in security and support provided by the government has given our people the opportunity to gradually resettle and reclaim their means of livelihood,” he said.

The governor said the attack would not deter the government in its efforts to rebuild, reconstruct and rehabilitate communities destroyed by insurgency.