LAGOS, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Armed Boko Haram fighters have invaded Nigeria's northeast Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, residents and security sources told Xinhua on Monday.
The insurgents stormed the town at about 5:30 a.m. local time Monday and heavy shooting is heard in the town. The military has sent a fighter jet to the town.
"The fighter jet is hovering around now trying to dislodge them but they are shooting, using civilian as shield," a police source said.
Military operation to dislodge armed Boko Haram fighters from overrunning Damaturu city is underway, a military source said.
The source told Xinhua the insurgents invaded the city from the western axis along the local border communities with Borno, Boko Haram birthplace.
"We are trying to dislodge them now. They're actually in town, some are fleeing as we pursue them. The operation is on going; both air and ground assault," said the source who did not want to be named.
High casualties are feared, he said.
Mathew Adewale, a resident, said the gunshots have subsided but the insurgents are still much around.
He said the insurgents came in a convoy of Hilux vehicles as residents woke up to heavy shooting and sound from explosion.
They've attacked the Yobe State University at the outskirts along Gujba road near the College of Agriculture where over 40 students were massacre by the insurgents last year, said Joe Agwu, a fleeing resident who live near the university.
"The Police Mobile Force base, about 300 meters from the university campus was set ablaze. Many policemen and their families may have been killed," he added.
Related:
Thousands of residents flee Nigerian town as Boko Haram goes on rampage
ABUJA, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of residents fled Chibok Town of Nigeria's northeastern state of Borno on Friday as Boko Haram, an outlawed sect which proves to be a major security threat in the West African country, went on rampage in the area.Full story
17,000 people displaced by Boko Haram's violence in Nigeria
LAGOS, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- A total of 17,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have been registered as a result of the escalation of the attacks in northeastern Nigeria's state of Adamawa, a rescue agency spokesperson said on Wednesday.Full story
Boko Haram launches attack on Nigerian police station, casualties feared
ABUJA, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Boko Haram fighters launched an attack on a local police station in Nigeria's northeastern state of Gombe on Tuesday, overpowering some police officers on duty and looting their weaponry, security sources and residents said.Full story
