Security forces yesterday imposed a 24-hour curfew on Potiskum, Yobe State, as they went after suspected Boko Haram insurgents thought to have slipped into town with large quantity of explosives.
Members of the Joint Task Force cordoned off a part of the town and began a house-to-house search for the insurgents said to be planning to unleash terror on residents during the Eid-el-Fitr festival.
Spokesman of the JTF Captain Eli Lazarus, disclosed this after issuing a statement declaring a 24-hour curfew in Potiskum, the largest town in the state.
The development followed intelligence report that suspected insurgents had sneaked into the city with explosives they allegedly stole from a Chinese construction firm during a night raid.
“The Joint Task Force announces the imposition of 24-hour curfew commencing from today (Monday) 5 August 2013. Residents of Potiskum town are enjoined to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by remaining indoors until the curfew is lifted,” spokesman Lazarus said in the statement. He later disclosed to our correspondent that the curfew followed an intelligence report of a planned attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents ‘who sneaked in with Improvised Explosive Divices (IEDs) to create panic in the town during the Eid-el-Fitr celebration’.
He said security operatives had already cordoned off suspected areas of the town where search operation is ongoing.
Just last week, the JTF issued an alert warning residents of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital that insurgents were planning massive attacks to coincide with the end of the Ramadan fasting.
Daily Trust also reports that the GSM communication had begun to cease in Potiskum as at the time of filing this report.
GSM services only returned about three weeks ago after they were cut in May shortly after President Jonathan declared state of emergency in three states including Yobe.
The latest curfew came exactly one year after similar one was imposed on Potiskum and the Yobe State capital, Damaturu, which was partly responsible for the successful military operation that led to some level of peace in the last several months.
Last year’s dusk to dawn curfew which lasted for over 48 hours subjected residents to severe hardships and grounded both government and other business activities.
Motorists that usually passed through Potiskum on their way to or from Maiduguri and Kano were caught in between, forcing many of them to return home or to take alternative routes which are longer and very difficult to drive on.
Following Monday’s curfew, most residents expressed fear that their perishable goods would spoil because the restriction of movement will prevent them from selling.
Speaking to Daily Trust on telephone, Malam Hassan Maidankali who sells Irish potatoes at Potiskum central market appealed to the JTF to allow them to visit their shops to properly store perishable items.
“We left our shops hoping that we would go back early in the morning for sales but today we are asked to stay indoors. Our concern is that our vegetables and fruits will go bad due to intense heat because the shops are too stuffy. When it happened last year no trader received compensation or assistance from government,” he recalled.
Malam Abubakar Inusa who also spoke to our correspondent said majority of residents depend on daily businesses to fend for their families .“Very few people in Potiskum have stored what they could eat for more than two days and even those with that kind of capacity may not have made preparations due to the short notice,” he said.
But Hajia Aisha Abubakar said she is ready to sacrifice everything for the sake of security and peace.
“It’s only when there is peace that people talk about business and job; go to Syria and see if people care about business,” She said. She appealed to residents to sacrifice their comfort during the few days of the operation. The military has been in fierce battle with the Boko Haram insurgents since it launched an operation that pushed them out of territories they ‘captured’ and hoisted their flags.


http://dailytrust.info/index.php/top-stories/2656-24-hour-curfew-imposed-on-potiskum-soldiers-search-house-to-house-for-explosives

yeah

But on a serious note what are they BH want Still hard for me to know what they really want from FG. Bombing here and there are they not human being or they don't have human feelings. * second to comment *

.

This boko guys na woah, when will this guys realize they are fighting a fruitless battle.

Oh men....see kit up

okey nah bt 24 small let d militaray make it 48 hour curfew

Boko haram still in yobe.please tell us the truth

The accompanying Picture on this topic na "Hellelle"

So how are they supposed to live and feed if there's curfew every other day.and It doesn't even stop the boko murderers from perpetrating their evil act, just gives them more time to prepare

harmless011: This boko guys na woah, when will this guys realize they are fighting a fruitless battle.

BROS, IT IS NOT FRUITLESS OH. THE SO CALLED ALMIGHTY US HAS BEEN FIGHTING TALIBAN FOR 10 YEARS WITH NO RESULTS TO SHOW. NOW THEY ARE HELPING NEGOTIATE A PEACE SETTLEMENT BETWEEN TALIBAN AND AFGHAN GOVT. DO UR RESEARCH ON GUERILLA WARFARE AND YOU WILL SEE THAT IT HAS NO END.

Omo, those soldiers for that pix go ruthless pass navy seals o.That face no b hear o.

al-qaeda:
BROS, IT IS NOT FRUITLESS OH. THE SO CALLED ALMIGHTY US HAS BEEN FIGHTING TALIBAN FOR 10 YEARS WITH NO RESULTS TO SHOW. NOW THEY ARE HELPING NEGOTIATE A PEACE SETTLEMENT BETWEEN TALIBAN AND AFGHAN GOVT. DO UR RESEARCH ON GUERILLA WARFARE AND YOU WILL SEE THAT IT HAS NO END.

wonda shall never end so al-qaeda dey for nairand seun i don quit be dat.....

God dy

al-qaeda:
BROS, IT IS NOT FRUITLESS OH. THE SO CALLED ALMIGHTY US HAS BEEN FIGHTING TALIBAN FOR 10 YEARS WITH NO RESULTS TO SHOW. NOW THEY ARE HELPING NEGOTIATE A PEACE SETTLEMENT BETWEEN TALIBAN AND AFGHAN GOVT. DO UR RESEARCH ON GUERILLA WARFARE AND YOU WILL SEE THAT IT HAS NO END.

U r talking trash, it is because U find ursef in a peaceful area or state, U don't know wat others r passing thru...just know dis everytin dat have a starting point must always have a ending point take note.

the_ripper2: Omo, those soldiers for that pix go ruthless pass navy seals o.That face no b hear o.

oboy doz guys no dy smile o

I look forward to hearing boko haram is no more. Those insurgents are just fighting a clueless battle.

Mr Aboki: MODS!! Ban everybody above me for posting crap..


@Topic:: Go JTF!!

Including you.

preshuzpearl: So how are they supposed to live and feed if there's curfew every other day.and It doesn't even stop the boko murderers from perpetrating their evil act, just gives them more time to prepare

Okay tell us how to overcome Boko haram since you seems to know whats best.

Why would Muslims want to spoil eid for fellow Muslims.

It is either that they are liars claiming to be Muslims or mentally disturbed.

I'd rather think the former is the case.

This na hausa problem they can put themselves on a sig for all I care.

I beg bottle of gin and tonic anyone.

They blamed Niger Republic and Chad, and they still can't stop the senseless killings. Nigerian security forces are relally paper tigers. Boko boys still winning shame.

Hmmmmmm

Whoop their asses,. Security should be beefed around the country for now because these guys are planing plenty of shits after these their celebrations.

.

..

al-qaeda:
BROS, IT IS NOT FRUITLESS OH. THE SO CALLED ALMIGHTY US HAS BEEN FIGHTING TALIBAN FOR 10 YEARS WITH NO RESULTS TO SHOW. NOW THEY ARE HELPING NEGOTIATE A PEACE SETTLEMENT BETWEEN TALIBAN AND AFGHAN GOVT. DO UR RESEARCH ON GUERILLA WARFARE AND YOU WILL SEE THAT IT HAS NO END.

[size=20pt]
TERRORIST ALERT!!! [/size]