Residents of Geidam, a town in Yobe State attacked on Wednesday by suspected members of Boko Haram, said the insurgents looted the town in an operation that lasted from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.

The residents believe the attack was meant to stockpile supplies, as the military campaign against them intensifies.

Residents ran into the bush when the insurgents entered the town on Wednesday evening and only came out on Thursday morning to see several shops burgled and items carted away.

“We saw several shops selling food items and beverages among others were burgled,” Abubakar Yusuf, a resident, said.

“They took away cars belonging to residents, broke shops, loaded the stolen items and went away with it.”

Another resident, Ismail Abubakar, said the police barracks and Custom office in the town were torched, including several shops.

He added that residents were sent home and asked to remain indoors pending further announcement.

The state police spokesperson, Toyin Gbadegesin, said security operatives were taking stock of the destruction caused and would make announcements later.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army said it has sent reinforcement to the town, following the attack that left three soldiers from Sector 1 of 27 Task Force Brigade dead and some equipment damaged.

Army spokesperson, Sani Usman, said troops succeeded in repelling the attack, killing several members of the insurgents and destroying their weapons.

Usman explained that the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Tukur Buratai, a Lieutenant General, who was on an operational tour of the North east, visited Geidam to assess the situation and warned officers to ensure that such attack did not happen again.

“The COAS also drove into the town and further assessed damage by the terrorists and gave further directives to the troops for the defence and improved security of the general area. He also met with some of the community leaders and Idris Aloma Polytechnic staff where he assured them of their safety and improved security,” he explained.

Usman reiterated the army’s resolve to bring the insurgency in the northeast to an end before the end of the year, adding that calm had return to Geidam with residents going about their normal activities.