The Nigerian army has foiled a coordinated Boko Haram attack on Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.
Colonel Sani Usman, the army’s spokesperson, said that the terrorists used powerful assault rifles and home-made explosives.
He said: “Nine terrorists sneaked into Maiduguri armed with AK-47 assault rifles and (a) Hilux vehicle laden with 20 improvised explosive devices”.
According to Usman, the IEDs were “meant to be detonated at some selected targets in the city”.
He did not reveal the possible targets and declined to speak further when asked whether the nine suspects had been arrested.
“We will let you know at the conclusion (of a preliminary investigation) what exactly they wanted to do,” Usman said.
In related development the army killed at least nine Boko Haram insurgents when the troops repelled an attack on a military base in Gwoza, Borno state.
“The (Boko Haram) attack on the army base led to a gun battle which lasted for about three hours this morning. Boko Haram launched the attack at about 3am and it lasted till about 6.30am. The gallant troops killed at least nine insurgents during the fierce gun battle,” a local resident said.
Colonel Tukur Gusau, the spokesperson for the 7th Army Division and coordinator of media for operation Lafiya Dole, also confirmed the attack.
He said that “nine of the terrorists were killed and one soldier was wounded. The soldier is receiving treatment now.”
Gwoza town is the former headquarters of Boko Haram insurgents but was retaken by the Nigerian military on March 27th.
This comes one day after the 7th Army Division and the 112 Task Force Battalion seized guns and vehicles after a fight with terrorists in Busheshe village.
Colonel Sani Usman, the army’s spokesperson, said that the terrorists used powerful assault rifles and home-made explosives.
He said: “Nine terrorists sneaked into Maiduguri armed with AK-47 assault rifles and (a) Hilux vehicle laden with 20 improvised explosive devices”.
According to Usman, the IEDs were “meant to be detonated at some selected targets in the city”.
He did not reveal the possible targets and declined to speak further when asked whether the nine suspects had been arrested.
“We will let you know at the conclusion (of a preliminary investigation) what exactly they wanted to do,” Usman said.
In related development the army killed at least nine Boko Haram insurgents when the troops repelled an attack on a military base in Gwoza, Borno state.
“The (Boko Haram) attack on the army base led to a gun battle which lasted for about three hours this morning. Boko Haram launched the attack at about 3am and it lasted till about 6.30am. The gallant troops killed at least nine insurgents during the fierce gun battle,” a local resident said.
Colonel Tukur Gusau, the spokesperson for the 7th Army Division and coordinator of media for operation Lafiya Dole, also confirmed the attack.
He said that “nine of the terrorists were killed and one soldier was wounded. The soldier is receiving treatment now.”
Gwoza town is the former headquarters of Boko Haram insurgents but was retaken by the Nigerian military on March 27th.
This comes one day after the 7th Army Division and the 112 Task Force Battalion seized guns and vehicles after a fight with terrorists in Busheshe village.
