borno-boko-war Fresh massacre in Borno

In what appeared like a vengeance mission, suspected Boko Haram insurgents launched heavy attack on a military barrack in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, yesterday leaving scores including civilians, military troops and many of the insurgents dead.

Rumour was rife in the metropolis that some insurgents who fled the Zambisa camp after military raid last week have threatened to attack the state capital this weekend.

The insurgents however made their threat real as they unleashed terror on Giwa Barrack of the 21 Armoured Brigade in the early hours of yesterday.

Some civilians who were killed around the barrack were reportedly hit by stray bullets.

Residents said the Boko Haram attackers were dressed in military uniform and invaded the barrack at about 7.15a.m. and were throwing explosive devices at the barrack. “They targeted the brigadedetention centre where some of their men were being detained and some buildings within the premises, but unknown to them some of their men were waiting for them,” a military source said. the military High Command got wind of the planned attack by the Boko Haram members and had substantially evacuated some of its men and their families in order to tackle the insurgents headlong.

For about four hours, residents were terrified by gunshots from heavy bombardment as fierce battle with the insurgents raged.

Also, sounds from rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) continued to rock the city.

Sources said the insurgents stormed the barrack through Fori, a sprawling community on the outskirt of Maiduguri. The area is also a gateway to the dislodged Zambisa camp of the insurgents. Military troops were quick to repel the attack, a police source claimed, adding that two fighter jets from the Nigerian Airforce were deployed to pursue the fleeing insurgents till 12 noon yesterday.

“About 70 of the insurgents were killed,” a military source said.

But members of the Youth Volunteer group in civilian JTF stated that over 100 of the insurgents were killed. “I counted over 100 insurgents,” a member of the civilian JTF said. He however, added that some soldiers also lost their lives during the attack.

Thousands of youth volunteers stormed major highways in Maiduguri yesterday singing and demonstrating while expessing readiness to confront the insurgents. They were seen moving towards the military barrack at the peak of the bombardment.

While the shooting lasted, some bullets believed to have been fired by the insurgents landed at students hostel and senior staff quarters, and the lecture theatre of University of Maiduguri leading to the death of a student, while about 5 were injured.