The Nigerian military has imposed an indefinite curfew on Maiduguri, the Borno State capital as troops on Sunday successfully repelled an attempt by Boko Haram insurgents to take over the city.
The insurgents attacked Maiduguri Saturday in their hundreds from several different points including Dalwa, Ajilari, Mainok and Limanti, shooting indiscriminately and throwing explosive devices, the sound of which rent the air late into Sunday morning.
However, Nigerian troops and youths of the Vigilante group popularly known as Civilian JTF, who had been alerted by the terrorists activities in villages close to the state capital, successfully repelled them after engaging in exchange of fire that lasted for several hours.
The terrorists are believed to have also launched simultaneous attacks on Monguno and Konduga where the military also says they have been repelled.
After being repelled from other points, the Boko Haram fighters launched another attack from Mjimtilo, about 10 kilometres from Maiduguri but they were equally engaged by Nigerian soldiers.
Read also:
- More Than 5,000 Displaced In Conquered Monguno
- May 29 Handover Date Is Sacrosanct, Jonathan Tells John Kerry
- Gov Shettima Applauds Military For Defence Of Maiduguri
- Gov Oshiomole Sacks Commissioners, Appoints Others
- President Jonathan Promises To Rebuild North East
Bombardments were heard all over Maiduguri throughout the night as Nigerian troops shelled Boko Haram locations in the attempt to drive them back.
The major attack by the insurgents was said to have been Mainok where the military bombardment was heaviest.
Troops have also taken strategic positions around Maiduguri to ensure that the insurgents do not launch a surprise attack through any of the entry points into the Borno State capital.
Even as land operations were going on, the Nigerian Air Force also engaged the terrorists from the air as several fighter were seen flying over the city.
The Defence Headquarters has tweeted that “Troops are repelling a simultaneous attack on Monguno and Maiduguri by terrorists,” adding that coordinated air and land operations were going on.
The move by the terrorists to take over the Borno State capital might have begun on Friday with an attack on Kambari, a village just about five kilometres from Maiduguri, which was practically razed to the ground and where at least 15 people were reportedly killed.
Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, it is believed, has been a major target of conquest by the Boko Haram Jihadist group as it wants to make it the capital of its Islamic Caliphate.