Four people were killed yesterday when a suicide bomber who drove a car loaded with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) yesterday attacked the headquarters of the State security Service (SSS) in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, as violent clashes between security forces and members of the Boko Haram entered its fourth day.The SSS spokesperson, Marylyn Ogar, said yesterday that four people were killed during the attack, including the attacker.Ogar said in a statement that 'on December 25 2011, at about 1245 hours, the Yobe State Command Headquarters of the Department of State Services, Damaturu was attacked by a lone suicide bomber. The incident occurred as the convoy of the Commanding Officer of the 241 Recce Battalion, Nguru, Yobe State; Colonel Dahiru Abdulsalam was driving into the Headquarters complex for a security meeting.''However, upon collusion with the gate, the impact resulted in an explosion. Consequently, three Service personnel and the suicide bomber were killed while one other person was injured. An Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) stationed at the gate was destroyed,' she said.Witnesses said a suicide bomber had trailed the fleet of vehicles of the head of operations of the military officer handling the crisis in Damaturu.'The JTF boss was moving in a convoy of cars and had already entered the gate of the SSS headquarters which is not more than 50 metres away from the perimeter fence of the Yobe State Government House.'It was at that point that the suicide bomber bulldozed his way through the gate and rammed his bomb-laden car into the last car in the convoy,' the source said.'In no time, the suicide bomber detonated his explosive-laden car which killed him instantly. The blast has also caused unknown number of injuries,' the source said.A thick smoke soon enveloped the sky and depleted the fragile peace in Damaturu where thousands of people have already fled to their villages or left the state for safer places.Sources said the many parts of the SSS headquarters and some vehicles were burnt by the ravaging flames of the blast. Journalists were not allowed into the premises as routes leading to the place were blocked by security personnel.Major streets have been deserted while markets and filling stations have closed through out yesterday. 'It is only in the residential quarters that you will see traces of people and activity. Nobody wants to take the risk of moving on the major roads,' Mohammed Sani, a resident of Buhari Quarters said. A military helicopter which conducted the evacuation of the victims made two runs to Maiduguri, the neighboring Borno state capital.Daily Trust couldn't ascertain whether the victims were taken to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, the Air Force Clinic or the Army Hospital at Maimalari Barracks in Maiduguri.But the SSS spokesperson said that 'the attacks will in no way deter security agencies from securing the lives and property of Nigerians and riding the society of criminals. Accordingly, members of the public are hereby implored to report suspicious movements within their localities to the nearest law enforcement agency in the overall effort to rid our nation of these undesirable elements.'Our correspondent reports that there was another attack at a Church at Gadaka in Fika local government, some 200 metres away from Damaturu on the eve of Christmas when some Christians were having a night vigil.
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