BREAKING: Gunshots Rock Maiduguri As Boko Haram, Troops Battle in Borno Capital
- Boko Haram made an attempt to invade Maiduguri, the Borno state capital on Tuesday evening, May 11
- The insurgents were, however, repelled by gallant Nigerian military operatives in the city
- Some civilians fled their homes after the exchange of gunshots became too loud in their vicinity
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The Nation is reporting that Boko Haram fighters and troops are exchanging gunfire around the Jidari Polo area of Maiduguri metropolis.
Eyewitnesses quoted in the report said residents are trapped with the fireworks said to be heavy.
According to the report, the attack started just as when many Muslims were preparing to break their fast.
Source: Getty Images
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Daily Trust reports that the insurgents have set some houses on fire in the state capital, adding that there are also sounds of gunshots and explosions in different parts of the city, especially around the Jiddari Polo area.
A security source quoted in the report said:
“At least 3 loud explosions were heard in Maiduguri. Heavy shooting ongoing now, civilians are fleeing their homes running towards Damboa and old GRA”
A resident who spoke over the phone said he was trapped as a result of the situation.
“I am currently trapped. I can’t go home now. Can you hear the sounds of the gunshots from this background?”
The military later repelled the attack but the extent of damages could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.
Deji Adesogan, a security analyst tweeted:
“Troops this evening foiled Boko Haram infiltration attempt around Jiddari Polo in Maiduguri, Borno state. As at 7 pm I learnt six terrorists were killed, weapons, and one gun truck recovered. Also learnt troops' reinforcement to the area was swift.”
Meanwhile, a Nigerian Army personnel, Sanni Mohammed, was recently arrested with two boxes containing about 2,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
According to the report, the soldier, a lance corporal, was arrested at the Borno Express park in Maiduguri on Monday, May 3.
He was said to have been arrested by officials of the Borno state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers at the park as he was about to board a bus to Abuja, the Nigerian capital.
In a related development, the executive director of the Peering Advocacy And Advancement Centre in Africa, Ezenwa Nwagwu, has said the Nigerian military is struggling to contain insecurity in the country due to patronage and cronyism in their recruitment process.
Nwagwu made the comment during an exclusive interview with Legit.ng recently in Abuja, adding that the training process in the military has been altered so as to be weaker in force, content, or value.
Source: Legit.ng
