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Breaking news from Katsina State in Nigeria’s North-West indicates that the state may be the next target of Boko Haram Islamic insurgents.
As Nigeria’s military forces asserted control over the troubled North-East following Tuesday’s emergency rule imposed on Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states by President Goodluck Jonathan, reports came of bomb and gun attacks last night in Daura, the hometown of former military ruler, retired Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. Among the bombed targets are Daura Central Prison, two police stations and a branch of a first generation bank. It is not yet known if anybody died in the attacks launched around 10:00 p.m.
Analysts said the operation bore the signature of Boko Haram. Incidentally, Gen. Buhari, a leading opposition figure, has often come under criticism for failing to unequivocally condemn Boko Haram’s campaign of violence. His prediction of violence after losing the 2011 presidential ballot to Dr. Jonathan has routinely been cited by the Nigerian Government as evidence that he supports the terrorist group but the taciturn general who now leads the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), usually counters, accusing the administration of creating the Boko Haram monster.
Meanwhile, the emergency rule imposed on the North-East has so far proved successful as no Boko Haram attacks have been recorded since then apart from the killing of Borno’s Christian Association of Nigeria Secretary, Rev. Faye Pama Musa, minutes after the presidential broadcast on Tuesday night.
Yesterday, the Nigerian Army clamped a dusk-to-dawn curfew across Adamawa State. A statement signed by Nigerian Army spokesperson in Adamawa, Mohammed Nuhu, urged all the residents to abide by the curfew.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Defence Headquarters, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, has reassured that “every resource available” to the armed forces would be used in the operation against Boko Haram.
•Photo shows Gen. Buhari, whose hometown came under attack last night.