Breaking: Army allegedly engages Boko Haram in gun battle as insurgents attack Maiduguri
Boko Haram insurgents are reportedly attacking Maiduguri, the Borno state capital now, with Nigerian troops pushing them back.
Premium Times reports that the attack appears to be coming from the Damboa road axis of the city that is popularly called Polo area.
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Legit.ng gathered that the residents of the neighbourhood are currently fleeing their houses.
The shooting started at about 6pm and is still ongoing as at the time of filing this report.
A loud explosion was heard amidst the shooting as at 6:15pm.
Daily Trust report indicated that a loud explosions and rapid gunfire were heard in Maiduguri metropolis on Thursday evening, April 26.
It was gathered that the exact site of the blast and following minutes of gunfire is undetermined yet. But security agents were mobilised onto streets.
The rapid gunfire is believed to be firing exchange between Boko Haram insurgents and security forces.
According to Daily Trust, “Residents here include staff of international non government organisations. They say the gunfire exchange has been on for almost 30 minutes and counting even though the intensity seems to be reducing."
They added: “The gunfire is coming from two different directions, suggesting fire and response. I have twice sighted lit projectiles streaking through the sky, suggesting flying bullets. Military posts on the streets of the government reserved area routinely fire warning signals.
“The Boko Haram insurgents entered through Molai axis. They are now exchanging gunfire with the military around Migali Polo general area. Residents have deserted their homes with thousands running toward GRA area.”
It was later reported that there's has been a lull in intensity of gunfire exchange and that the silence has been replaced with roar of military aircraft streaming overhead.
It is understood this is the second attack on the axis on the outskirts of Maiduguri in two months.
The previous attack also saw long periods of sustained fire exchange between insurgents and military
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that troops of 177 Guards Battalion on Tuesday, April 24 in conjunction with the Nigeria Police while on raid operation in Ugyi town, Toto local government area of Nasarawa state arrested some suspected militias.
According to a statement sent to Legit.ng by the director army public relations, Brigadier-General Texas Chukwu, the suspects are all from Gbassa tribe of the state.
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Nigerian Air Force operations against Boko Haram - on Legit.ng
Source: Legit.ng
