No fewer than two federal highway policemen were on Monday shot dead in Yobe State by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists.

Reports claimed the attack occurred in an ambush on Maiduguri–Damaturu highway.

Borno State Police Commissioner, Mohammed Aliyu, confirmed the attack but said no officer died.

According to Premium Times, a witness reported seeing two officers on the ground Monday morning as security forces ordered all travellers to Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, back to Maiduguri.

“I think they may have been dead from the attack,” a commercial driver who gave his name as Bukar Modu, said of the victims.

“We were all asked to turn back to Maiduguri. No vehicle was allowed to pass.”

Modu said the incident occurred between Jakana and Mainok towns. The two towns are have recently witnessed increased Boko Haram attacks.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that the Army Brigade in Bogozo has now been relocated to Jakana as part of measures to safeguard travellers on the Damaturu/Maiduguri highway.

The police chief, Mt Aliyu, said,

“As I speak to you now, my men are in the location. I don’t have the information concerning any death. But what I know is that one of them was shot on his hand. I will give you the details as soon as I get.”

Another driver told PREMIUM TIMES that only vehicles coming from Damaturu were being allowed to enter Maiduguri while those travelling out of Maiduguri could not be allowed to pass through.

PREMIUM TIMES