Heavy explosion and gunfire rock Potiskum

Heavy explosions and gunfire rocked Potiskum, the Yobe state capital today. The police commissioner for Yobe state, where Potiskum is located, said there had been a bomb explosion and security forces afterwards cordoned off the area and began house-to-house searches. He did not say whether there had been any casualties.

“There was a bomb explosion this morning and the Joint Task Force has already cordoned off the area for the safety of residents,” Patrick Egbuniwe said, referring to a military and police task force. “Right now, there is a house-to-house search by JTF to fish out the perpetrators of the terror attack.” Residents said the unrest began just before 6:00 am. “It started with a huge explosion followed by successive blasts and gunfire,” one resident told AFP.

The blasts and gunfire came from an area of the town where a bank, a military base and the office of the anti-narcotics agency are located, residents said.