Boko Haram militants and soldiers of the
Nigerian army are currently engaged in a fierce
battle for the city of Maiduguri since last
night.
Premium Times report that the nearby town
Monguno has already been captured and seized by
Boko Haram insurgents.
One security source told journalists: “We had a
sleepless night till this morning because this
elements tried to enter Maiduguri from Dalwa and
Limanti axis but our soldiers were able to repell
them. They retreated and took another flank
around Njimtilo this morning and our troops hav
been engaging them there too. ”
Thousands Of Troops Moved To Borno
Njimtilo is just 20 kilometres away from
Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.
Troops coupled with members of the Civilian-JTF,
were seen moving towards Njimtilo.
Maiduguri residents who live not far off Njimtilo
have already packed out and fled their homes.
READ ALSO: Boko Haram Raid Another Village
Near Maiduguri
Witnesses revealed that gunshots and shelling were
overheard from soldiers of the Nigerian Air Force
Base and 33 Artillery brigade.
The Nigerian airforce have employed a fighter jet.
Meanwhile the Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has
revealed that Maiduguri is now in a lockdown
mode as curfew has been announced inn the capital
city.
The defence headquarters tweeted via its handle @
DefenceInfoNG, “Troops are repelling a
simultaneous attack on Monguno and Maiduguri by
terrorists.
“Curfew is imposed on #MAIDUGURI with
immediate effect till further notice as pursuit of
retreating terrorists begin.”
It added, “Coordinated Air and Land OPs being
conducted now.”
Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, had last
week in a video boasted to have more than enough
arms to execute a major war against Nigeria.