At least Three Killed In Army-Boko Haram Gun Duel

MAIDUGURI, March 24 (THEWILL) - Saturday night was a restive one for residents of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, where members of the Boko Haram Islamic fundamentalist sect were locked with the military in a gunfight that lasted more than an hour.

Although the total number of casualties was unknown as at the time of preparing this report, the Joint Task Force (JTF) claimed to have hacked down three members of the sect.

Narrating details of the shootout to THEWILL, JTF Spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa said that the sect attacked a location of the task force along Abaganaram and railway quarters between 5.30pm and 7:15 pm.

“We repelled the attack and three Boko Haram members were killed in the process. We recovered an AK 47 rifle and 200 rounds of 6.722 mm special ammunition,” he said. “The situation is under control but we are still actively pursuing those who escaped. The press will have more information as developments unfold.”

THEWILL can also confirm that the Islamist terrorists also sieged the Lamisula Police Station, engaging the Police in a gun battle for approximately one hour, in addition to launching rockets and hand-held bombs to destroy parts of the station.

The deafening sound of blasting bombs forced residents of the city to scamper home for safety, while the thousands who were held up outside their homes were made to sleep on the roads, as JTF men enforced a 7pm to 6am curfew.

Abba Modu, a resident who was forced to pass the night on the road, said the JTF refused to considers pleas to let them drive home after the attack.

“They told us that a law is a law,” he lamented. “Initially, we were made to lie flat on the floor and we were subjected to rigorous checks. I had no choice but to call my family to let them know that I would be sleeping on the road,”

In addition to corpses deposited at the morgue, eyewitnesses said that injured policemen and civilians were rushed to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.”