Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

Warning shots from soldiers at Giwa and Maimalari barracks in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital on Tuesday caused panic and fear among residents who thought the town was under a major attack by Boko Haram insurgents.

The sound of heavy shooting which rent the air lasted about 20 minutes and forced many residents to stay indoors to avoid been caught a crossfire, parents who already dropped their children and wards in school rushed to retrieve them.

The shooting was sporadic and lasted between 7:20am – 7:40am and altered the plans of many fear-stricken residents for the day.

It was later gathered from security sources that the shooting from the barracks was done to showcase the level of preparedness of the Nigerian army to take on any attack on the capital city.

Another military source said the shooting was preemptive and only aimed at discouraging the terrorist group from contemplating an attack on Maiduguri.

“Our troops are more than capable of defending Maiduguri,” the source said, advising residents to go about their business without fear.