ABUJA, March 6 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — The US government has reiterated its reward of $7million (N2.5bn) for anyone with credible information that can lead to the arrest of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau.
This came as Boko Haram insurgents in the early hours of Saturday, attacked a military base in Damboa, Borno State, killing three soldiers and three policemen. 13 of the insurgents were also killed by the troops, while 47 others were injured.
The Inspector General of Police, Abubabar Adamu, described the bandits terrorising the North West Zone as Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.
The US govt had in 2013 placed a $7m bounty on Shekau, but has just reiterated that promise.
Reiterating the bounty on Shehu in a tweet by the Rewards for Justice Program, the counter-terrorism rewards program of the US Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, the US government said: “The United States Department of State offers a reward up to $7m for information leading to the arrest of the terrorist, Abubakar Shekau, leader of Boko Haram.”
On the attack on Army base in Damboa, security sources said the terrorists came through Gwoza Kalla road to attack the 25 Armoured Brigade located in Damboa town at about 5:40 am, raining bullets on the base.
The terrorists, it was learned, stormed the Army base with several gun trucks armed with anti-aircraft guns with which they shot sporadically at anything in sight.
One source said: “The battle lasted for about two hours. The situation is calm now. Many residents left their homes and fled to Chibok during the attack.”
“The efforts of the troops were helped by aircraft of the Nigerian Airforce and this greatly contributed to inflicting a heavy blow on the terrorists,” one source said.
Damboa, situated between Alagarno and Sambisa forest, has been a notorious target of Boko Haram.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Adamu, said that new war strategies were needed geared towards eliminating the bandits from their hideouts in the nook and crannies of the zone.
He said it was important to ensure that peace and security were restored, and implored the officers to show commitment in the fight against criminality in the region.
In separate attack, Boko Haram insurgents invaded Dapchi, Yobe State, setting houses and other properties on fire.
Dapchi is the town where over one hundred students of Government Girls Secondary School, including Leah Sharibu, were abducted on Feb 19, 2018.
A security source, who disclosed this to Vanguard last night, said residents of the town fled into the bush after their houses were set ablaze.
