Ebun Francis ||
The attempt by Boko Haram insurgents to infiltrate Maiduguri, the capital of Bornu State on Thursday evening was repelled by Nigerian troops who engaged them in heavy gun battle.
The attack, according to residents of the city, came from the Damboa Road axis of the city.
Residents of the neighbourhood fled their homes during the attack.
The shooting started at about 6pm when soldiers began to exchange gunfire with insurgents.
Zainab Kamali, a resident told reporters that insurgents began the attack from Jidari area of the metropolitan city.
She said, “We were forced to abandon our homes for the bush… there’s serious confusion.”
Another resident who does not want his identity disclosed said the insurgents have been moving around the city.
“They are currently at the cashew plantation axis of Maiduguri but soldiers are engaging them in a serious battle,” he said.
After a sustained gun battle with insurgent, Major Gen. Rogers Nicholas, the head of Nigerian army operations in the northeast, released a statement confirming that the attack had been repelled.
Part of the statement read, “The troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE are currently in pursuit of the Boko Haram Terrorists and have dominated the area while also patrolling the general area of Jidari.”
Rogers urged resident residents to remain indoors and be vigilant.
The Full Statement
Troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE have in the late hours of today, Thursday 26 April 2018 successfully repelled Boko Haram Terrorist incursion in the outskirt of Jidari Polo area of Maiduguri.
Troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE with the support of the Air Task Force, Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies including the Civilian Joint Task Force quickly mobilised to the area and cleared the terrorists incursion.
The troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE are currently in pursuit of the Boko Haram Terrorists and have dominated the area while also patrolling the general area of Jidari.
Therefore, the general public and residents of the area that have earlier flee are enjoined to return to their residence. They are further encouraged to report any suspicious persons to security agencies currently patrolling the area.
Major General ROGERS NICHOLAS
Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE