Spokesman for Nigerian Military, Major General Chris Olukolade, has confirmed that suspected members of the Boko Haram insurgents, “died on the outskirts of Maiduguri this morning during a gun duel with Nigerian soldiers.”
This is even as the Nigerian Defence Headquarters, in Abuja, announced imposition of curfew in Maiduguri and environs with immediate effect, “following the multi-prong attack launched on the town by the dreaded Boko Haram group, and resolved by our Army to dislodge the insurgents.”
A military officer had earlier confirmed to our Correspondent in a telephone chat that, after hours of confrontation, the Nigerian Army have been able to successfully repel the Boko Haram insurgents from getting access to the heart of the city, Maiduguri.
“Many of the terrorists have been killed by our own troops and others are retreating, we are pursuing them with the aid of our newly acquired multi-purpose air strike launcher. I can confirm to you that over 120 of them have been killed,” the officer said.
He added that, some of the fleeing terrorists were heading to Chad and Cameroon. “But we are following them in the air and where ever they are we would strike. Enough is enough,” the officer added.
It was gathered that at present, there is “absolute silence” in Maiduguri following the imposition of curfew. A source at the University of Maiduguri said some injured people were receiving treatment there. But he refused to state the number. “They are many, but some of them arrived here lifeless, so they were taken straight to the mortuary.”
Major General Olukolade, on the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) official twitter handle confirmed ongoing counter terrorism operations around Maiduguri and surrounding towns.
The DHQ states: “Troops are repelling a simultaneous attack on Monguno and Maiduguri by terrorist.”
In another tweet: “Coordinated air and land operations are being conducted now. Residents are advised to stay indoors.”
Another source, a senior Police officer in Maiduguri said, “Nigerian troops are currently trying to contend hundreds of Boko Haram militants who are trying to attack Maiduguri, the state capital through various directions.
The fight is severe at Jimtilo, a settlement situated about 10 kilometers from the Air Force Base in the state capital. Residents of the town are advised to stay indoors as the operation may take some time. They said the terrorists were running away toward Chad.
Jimtilo is along Maiduguri-Damaturu road, the only relatively safe route to Maiduguri from any other part of Nigeria. At the same time, troops are engaging the insurgents at Monguno, the only town in the northern part of Borno State, with a border with Chad.”
It was gathered also that Soldiers from the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, armed with sophisticated weapons and armoured personnel carriers, “supported by youths vigilantes group were seen going after the terrorists at Jimtilo while a fighter jet has been hovering in the skies since around 7am today,” said the Police source.
The source stressed that thousands of people who are living in the outskirts of Maiduguri as well as housing estates have fled their homes. Endless sound of artillery fire which begun since around 4.00am, and is still continuing. There is panic among residents as well as heavy gridlock of motorists who are trying to get to safe locations
