OVER 400 suspected Boko Haram gunmen Monday broke the peace that was gradually returning to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, in the last six months.
They attacked the 204 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) base and killed several military personnel and residents in the area.
The attack on the base, which is used by the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in fighting terrorism in the state, commenced around 3.00 a.m.
The gunmen chanted “God is great! God is great!” before storming the Air Force base through three villages, Njimtilo, Shuwari and Moronti, west of Maiduguri International Airport.
They also attacked the 777 Housing Estate police out-post; the trailer park under construction; Maiduguri International Airport, several petrol and police stations and houses, including four NAF quarters in Gomari ward located south of the base.
According to an eyewitness and resident of Gomari ward, Ibrahim Isa, the gunmen started firing at the base around 3.00 a.m., targeting about three fighter jets and helicopter gunship stationed at the base.
Isa said: “We could not sleep throughout last night, as the exchange of gunfire and explosions of several Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) continued for over four hours at the base and its environs comprising three neighbourhoods on Maiduguri-Kano Road. Even though I cannot tell you the exact number of people killed, I am certain we lost three of our neighbours in yesterday’s attack at the Air Force base. It is only the military that can tell you the exact number of people killed.
“Some of the gunmen that participated in attacking this Air Force base were also shot dead, as some of the bodies were still lying on the air field today (Monday). But the civilians killed yesterday have been buried according to Islamic rites.”
Barely two hours after the attacks, all the major roads and streets, including Airport Road, were closed to motorists, forcing many people, including school children, to trek to their respective destinations at 7.00 a.m.
A top military officer, who was not authorised to speak on yesterday’s incident, said: “These attacks on our military base were well-planned and co-ordinated, as the gunmen did not use the conventional routes of roads and streets, but used the dirty village tracks west of the Maiduguri airport. Even their movements with arms were not sighted by any of our men on patrol, until our base was attacked by these hoodlums, destroying several lives and military facilities that may take time to replace in the fight against terrorism in the North-East sub-region of this country.”
The spokesman of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Col. Mohammed Dole, also yesterday in a statement confirmed the terrorists’ attacks, stating that troops had successfully repelled the insurgents.
The statement reads in part: “In the early hours of Monday, December 2, 2013, Boko Haram terrorists attempted to gain access to our locations in the Seventh Division. But the Nigerian Army successfully repelled the insurgents and inflicted serious casualties on them. The situation around Njimtilo and Maiduguri International Airport general areas is calm and under control.
“Our troops supported by the Nigerian Air Force aircraft are presently pursuing the terrorists towards the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road. Members of the general public are requested to remain calm and comply with the 24-hour curfew imposed by the Borno State government.”
The curfew, according to the statement, will be reviewed periodically as the security situation improves.
On the curfew, the Secretary to the State Government, Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, noted in a statement made available to reporters in Maiduguri: “The Borno State government in consultation with the GOC 7 Division, Nigerian Army, has decided to impose a 24-hour curfew on Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and environs starting from 11.00 a.m. today, Monday, December 2, 2013.
“The imposition of the curfew is necessitated by an attack in Maiduguri by people suspected to be Boko Haram members in the early hours of today. During the period of the curfew, the Borno State government pleads with all citizens to remain calm and law-abiding until the situation is put under control as the security agencies will do everything possible to maintain lives and property of the citizens. Only vehicles on emergency calls and essential services are allowed to move during the period. The curfew will be lifted as soon as the situation improves.”
Source: Vanguard Newspaper.

Mtchewwww!
Becos of their lies, people are still living and dying there. They should declear state of WAR and evacuate people from there. OYO