Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have opened the allegedly closed Maiduguri-Damaturu-Potiskum road to motorists in Borno and Yobe states. Spokesman of Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu announced the opening of 232-kilometre road in a statement released on Wednesday in Maiduguri. According to him, the rumours making rounds that troops have closed the Maiduguri-Damaturu-Potiskum road were not true. “Our attention has been drawn to rumours that the Nigerian Army has closed Maiduguri-Damaturu road. This is not true,” he said. He explained that; “What is happening is an ongoing clearance and snap checks operations in the general area required to clear suspected Boko Haram terrorists along that road. “The clearance operation is ultimately for the safety and security of motorists and other road users.” He urged members of the public to cooperate and bear with the troops, as they carry out their operations in Borno/Yobe axis. He also assured that the affected road will be free on Wednesday afternoon for motorists and members of the public. The opened road linking Maiduguri and Damaturu, the Borno and Yobe state capitals has over a dozen crossing points being used by insurgents. Suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Monday attacked Sajeri and Auno communities of Borno and killed three people, including an Islamic cleric and a soldier. The insurgents, according to Borno Police Commissioner, Damian Chukwu sneaked into the communities from north flank of Sambisa Forest.
