Nigeria: Gunmen Attack Primary School, Police Station

Despite the repeated entreaties by religious leaders for a peaceful Sallah celebration, suspected gunmen Monday attacked Damagum Central Primary School, as well as a police station in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

Eyewitnesses recalled that the town's police station, which had been previously razed by the sect, was again torched by members of the group Monday.

The witnesses, who could not ascertain the number of casualties, said several gunfire exchange was heard during which residents scampered to safety.

It was also gathered that the sect attacked a primary school in the town and destroyed part of it with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

Confirming the incident to THISDAY, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Toyin Gbadegesin, said a mischievous fire gutted Damagum Central Primary School, at about 2030hours on Sunday.

He said the fire, which was from fireworks, destroyed part of the school, while attempts to get the fire service to put off the fire proved abortive.

He noted that no one or group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Gbadegesin also disclosed that in the same town at about 0105 hours attacks were launched against the police division and a Catholic church.

He claimed that the attack were successful repelled by the police, who drove the assailants away while no casualty was recorded on the side of the police.

The police spokesman also revealed that normalcy had since returned to the town.

from allAfrica/This Day
By Michael Olugbode, 21 August 2012

Posted in: Damaturu, Improvised explosive device, Nigeria, Yobe State