How Boko Haram Attacks at Military Base, Airport in Maiduguri Leave Scores Dead

An early Monday morning attack carried out by terrorist suspected to be Boko Haram members at several military facilities and civilian targets in Maiduguri has left scores of people including military personnel dead, government sources, and security personnel have said.

According to a source, the militant sect numbering over 500 were seen riding in various trucks, including an armoured personnel carrier, chanting Islamic slogans and shooting as they attacked the Nigeria Airforce base, the Maiduguri International Airport, and some residential places around the military base.

Residents around the attacked Air-force base said the attack started about 2:30 a.m. when gun shots and multiple explosions were heard echoing all over the city.

A military source, who sought anonymity as he was not permitted to speak, said three military aircrafts and several vehicles were attacked by the terrorists.

A source who saw the remains of the town confirmed that the insurgent group completely razed to ashes, the newly established army 33 Battalion in Maiduguri.

“No building is standing on its own including the helicopters and Commandant Office. These guys have rubbished the so called Nig Army. The number of army casualties is too much. There are two civilian JTF and a few civilian vehicle affected. Any other casualty was as a result of stray attacks, the source said.

While residents of the Air-force base said a combined effort by soldiers and police officers repelled the insurgents, leading to the death of several people, the source said a jet came all the way from Yola and only it dispersed and killed few of the insurgents.

“From what I saw, it is a single sided war which the army never retaliated”

“We have seen several vehicles of the insurgents up in flames some smoking with corpses of people burnt inside. Some persons were also seen with slit throats,” a resident of the base said.

The military has since cordoned the vicinity of the attacks but is yet to issue an official statement.

Meanwhile, the state government has declared a 24 hour curfew on Maiduguri, the Borno capital.

The government in a statement signed by the secretary of the state government, Baba Ahmed Jidda said: “The Borno State Government in Consultation with the GOC 7 Division Nigerian Army (Major General Obida Ethan has decided to impose a 24 hour curfew on Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and environs starting from 11am today Monday, 2nd December, 2013,”

“The imposition of the curfew is necessitated by an attack in Maiduguri by people suspected to be Boko Haram members in the early hours of today.”

“During the period of the curfew, Borno State Government pleads with all citizens to remain calm an law abiding until the situation is put under control as the security agencies will do everything possible to maintain lives and property of the citizenry.”

“Only vehicles on emergency call and essential services are allowed to move during the period.”
“The curfew would be lifted as soon as the situation improves,” the government secretary added.

Maiduguri streets have been deserted, while ambu?ances and security van sirens could be heard blaring.

Borno has been under emergency rule since May with all telephone networks shut down by the government.

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