Soldiers Repel Boko Haram Attack in Maiduguri

Just when the residents of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, thought the activities of Boko Haram sect have been curtailed, there was apprehension last night as the town was enveloped in gunfire.

THISDAY gathered that some minutes after the commencement of the daily curfew, gunshots were held in some parts of the town.

A military source, who did not want his name in print, said last night that the insurgents tried to gain entrance into Maiduguri through Bale in Jere Local Government Area, on the outskirts of the capital town.

He said they were repelled by the military, who engaged them in a gun duel for about an hour.

According to him, the military sighted the insurgents in their numbers trying to make a move into Maiduguri.

He said: “They were engaged by soldiers and when they met a superior fire power they had to retreat.

“It is however difficult to tell you the number of casualties now, it is still dark and this will only be possible in the morning. All I can tell you now is that the military is on red alert.

“The entire Maiduguri is on the watch and the insurgents, if they try anything funny, are in for a tough duel.”

A member of the youth vigilante group, Modu Baba, also speaking on the phone with THISDAY, said the insurgents tried to enter Maiduguri via Bale at about 7p.m. yesterday but they were repelled by soldiers.