At Least 6 Dead after Unrest in Nigeria
Unrest in three northeastern Nigerian cities has left at least six people dead, an official said Friday, after gunfire and explosions rocked the region hit by violence blamed on Islamists.
The unrest broke out in the cities of Maiduguri, Damaturu and Potiskum on Thursday. More gunfire was heard in Damaturu on Friday morning, but details were unclear.
"From reports I have received from Potiskum, five people were killed in last night's attack -- four policemen and a civilian," said Ibrahim Farinloye, northeast coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency.
"Three police vans were also burnt in the attack."
A hospital source in Damaturu had said late Thursday that a soldier was killed and seven police officers were wounded there. He said a 10-year-old boy was being operated on after being hit by gunfire.
The police commissioner for Yobe state, where both Damaturu and Potiskum are located, said Thursday night that suspected members of the Islamist sect Boko Haram had carried out bombings and shootings in Damaturu.
Lawan Tanko said he did not have details on casualties, but added that a church and a military patrol van were burnt. He said the attackers had been repelled and pushed toward Potiskum.
A military spokesman in Maiduguri said multiple blasts hit the city on Thursday, but could not give further details. An army source said six explosions were heard.
Maiduguri has borne the brunt of the violence attributed to Boko Haram, which has claimed responsibility for scores of attacks in the north as well as the August suicide bombing of U.N. headquarters in the capital Abuja that killed at least 24.
Source: Agence France Presse
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