Boko Haram attack on Maiduguri foiled by Army, deaths reported

Nigeria

The Nigerian Army on Thursday evening foiled a Boko Haram attack that targeted Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State in the country’s north-east.

The attack according to local media sources was two-pronged. The face-to-face combat between the army and insurgents before the detonation of three suicide bombs.

Six suspected Boko Haram members were killed whiles the other side also reported some casualties. Two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force died with eight others injured.

Reports indicate that the gun battle started about 11:30 pm and continued for more than two hours creating panic among some residents of the city.

Borno State is the birthplace of the Boko Haram insurgency that has claimed an estimated 100,000 – according to the governor, Kshi Shettima. It has also lead to the displacement of millions of people.

Its effect goes beyond Nigeria with attacks by the group on countries in the Lake Chad region. Cameroon’s Far North region, Niger and Chad have all had their fair share of Boko Haram attacks.