No fewer 13 people have lost their lives during the suicide attack on Maiduguri, on Wednesday.
A militia member stated four suicide bombers detonated explosives near a barracks in the Borno State capital.
Four female bombers killed six vigilance members and three soldiers near the Giwa Barracks in the city, Hassan Ibrahim, a member of the vigilance group fighting alongside the army, stated yesterday. Many people were injured, he also stated.
“Our members were killed and some are lying on hospital beds as a result of the bombs detonated,” Ibrahim stated on telephone. “Our men and the soldiers thought they were helpless women who were in Boko Haram captivity but they took us by surprise.”
Troops repelled the Boko Haram attack on Maiduguri after exchanging gunfire with the insurgents for about an hour, until about 9 p.m.
The army yesterday imposed a 24-hour curfew on the city.
“The attack on Wednesday was massive and the insurgents deployed female suicide bombers,” Jubrin Gunda, a militia spokesman, stated on phone from the city. The insurgents incurred “massive” casualties, he also stated.
The army described the decision to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew as a measure to protect lives and property in the city.
A statement signed by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 7 Division, Maiduguri, Col. Tukur Gusau, called on the people to cooperate with security agencies, maintaining that the situation has been brought under control.
“In view of the recent development within Maiduguri metropolis, a 24-hour curfew is hereby imposed on the city. This is done to protect lives and property of innocent and law-abiding people of Maiduguri.
“The Nigeria Army wishes to, once again, thank you for your continuous support and cooperation. The situation is firmly under control.”
Also yesterday, it was learnt that no fewer than five Boko Haram members were killed in Iraq by the Mosul Youth Resistance Movement. They were reportedly killed on Wednesday.
This is the first report of the presence of Boko Haram militants in Iraq following the sect’s open declaration of allegiance to the deadly ISIS and ISIS’s acceptance of Boko Haram’s allegiance.
Tthe Boko Haram insurgents were attacked in the Dargaza neighbourhood of eastern Mosul, Basnews.com reports.
Saed Mamuzini, Mosul’s spokesperson, was quoted by Basnews as saying, “The Nigerian Boko Haram militants were in Mosul to take part in a military training course conducted by Islamic State (IS).”