The Nigerian Army on Wednesday repelled an attack by Boko
Haram jihadists on the northeast city of Maiduguri, security sources and residents
told newsmen.
The attack, the latest in a wave of assaults by Islamist
gunmen, was repulsed hours before President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn into
office for a second term in power.
Soldiers intercepted a “huge number” of fighters from Boko
Haram on the outskirts of Maiduguri on Tuesday night, beginning a night-long
battle that continued until close to dawn on Wednesday.
“Our troops did an impressive job, and fought off the
terrorists,” said a military source, who asked not to be named.
Troops fought all night, and “forced them to withdraw by
dawn,” the source said.
A member of a self-defence militia, that fights alongside
regular troops, said Boko Haram forces were spotted as they moved towards the
city in the dark.
“Luckily they were sighted by soldiers, who fought them all
night long,” the militia fighter said.
Residents of the city reported the sounds of a heavy battle.
“We kept hearing explosions and the sound of gunfire
throughout the night,” Maiduguri resident Nasiru Fannami said.
It was not clear if there were any casualties.
Boko Haram militants have launched several failed attempts
to overrun Maiduguri.
Their decade-long campaign of violence has killed tens of
thousands of people and displaced millions across the region.
The violence has spilled over into neighbouring Niger, Chad
and Cameroon, prompting a regional military coalition to battle the jihadist
group.
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