Boko Haram insurgents at midnight yesterday attacked the
Maiduguri the capital of Borno state firing numerous rocket propelled
grenades (RPG) that hit residential buildings witnesses and security
officials told Leadership newspaper.
A top security officer at the Department of Security Service (DSS) pleading anonymity told newsmen that “7 persons were killed, 17 injured and about two houses completely destroyed as a result of the RPGs pumped into the town by Boko Haram insurgents”.
The thunderous blasts of the RPGs and constant gunshot sounds forced residents of the state capital to abandon their sleep.
Meanwhile another anonymous military officer said, Boko Haram terrorists in an attempt to recapture the town also tried another entry into the town, but could not advance further beyond the barricade trenches and sand fortress dug and built around the troubled city.
Meanwhile a member of Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Abbas Gava, speaking on the seven people killed said,“My younger sister lives in Dala-Lawant. She and her family came running to my house at Moduganari ward in the night because a heavy explosion had hit the house close to theirs. And when we went back this morning to find out what transpired we met people mourning the death of seven people killed by bullet from a rocket launcher. The building that was hit is rented apartments for tenants; it was badly destroyed”.
Mari Madu another resident in the state capital whose lives close to the attacked Dala-Lawanti told leadership, “I counted more than 40 heavy explosions coming from rocket launchers before I lost counts. Each time they fired into the town, we would see bright sparkling light, which moved with great speed passing over our houses. One of the blasts shook the roof of my house so badly that I thought it might have landed on my house. Many houses were destroyed in our neighbourhood, but I have not heard of anyone that died”.
The attacks forced thousands of residents, mostly members of the youth vigilante, a.k.a Civilian-JTF to take arms to keep watch in case more Boko Haram attacks came.
A top security officer at the Department of Security Service (DSS) pleading anonymity told newsmen that “7 persons were killed, 17 injured and about two houses completely destroyed as a result of the RPGs pumped into the town by Boko Haram insurgents”.
The thunderous blasts of the RPGs and constant gunshot sounds forced residents of the state capital to abandon their sleep.
Meanwhile another anonymous military officer said, Boko Haram terrorists in an attempt to recapture the town also tried another entry into the town, but could not advance further beyond the barricade trenches and sand fortress dug and built around the troubled city.
Meanwhile a member of Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Abbas Gava, speaking on the seven people killed said,“My younger sister lives in Dala-Lawant. She and her family came running to my house at Moduganari ward in the night because a heavy explosion had hit the house close to theirs. And when we went back this morning to find out what transpired we met people mourning the death of seven people killed by bullet from a rocket launcher. The building that was hit is rented apartments for tenants; it was badly destroyed”.
Mari Madu another resident in the state capital whose lives close to the attacked Dala-Lawanti told leadership, “I counted more than 40 heavy explosions coming from rocket launchers before I lost counts. Each time they fired into the town, we would see bright sparkling light, which moved with great speed passing over our houses. One of the blasts shook the roof of my house so badly that I thought it might have landed on my house. Many houses were destroyed in our neighbourhood, but I have not heard of anyone that died”.
The attacks forced thousands of residents, mostly members of the youth vigilante, a.k.a Civilian-JTF to take arms to keep watch in case more Boko Haram attacks came.
The shooting was reported to have started at about 12:50 am and continued until about 3am when shootings ceased.
It could not be confirmed if soldiers had been able to kill the attackers, or only succeeded in repelling the insurgents.
Maiduguri is one of the many cities and capitals recaptured from the Boko Haram insurgents following intensive offense in the past three months.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari said in his inauguration speech that until Boko Haram is defeated the army headquarters will be relocated to Maiduguri from Abuja
It could not be confirmed if soldiers had been able to kill the attackers, or only succeeded in repelling the insurgents.
Maiduguri is one of the many cities and capitals recaptured from the Boko Haram insurgents following intensive offense in the past three months.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari said in his inauguration speech that until Boko Haram is defeated the army headquarters will be relocated to Maiduguri from Abuja