The commissioner of police in Borno state, Damian Chukwu, said on
Thursday that six soldiers and four policemen were killed in Rann, a
remote local government headquarters where Boko Haram attacked last
week.
The figure quoted by the commissioner of police was the first
official disclosure of casualties the security forces suffered in the
attack that killed three aid workers.
The three victims worked for the United Nations at Rann’s displaced persons camp.
Two other female workers are believed to have been abducted by the terror group.
While giving details of its losses last week, the UN also said eight members of the Nigerian security forces were killed.
The police chief, Mr. Chukwu, said the toll was higher.
“During the attack on Rann, six soldiers died and we lost four policemen,” he told journalists at a press conference Thursday.
He did not give further details.
Meanwhile, the police in Borno have issued a 21- day for residents
with illegal arms to surrender their weapon or risk arrest and
prosecution.
Mr. Chukwu gave the directive while addressing senior police officers in his command on Thursday.
He said it was the direct order of the Inspector General of Police,
Ibrahim Idris, in view of the escalation of armed communal conflict
across the country.
He said any person found with such arms, “will be dealt with in with laws of the land”.
“We must brace up to our responsibilities, so that it does happen
again. That was how 276 Chibok schoolgirls were abducted by in April
14, 2014.
“The members of the public are to cooperate with police ensure that
the directive of IG is complied with without rancour,” he said.