Over 207 Boko Haram Gunmen Killed in Maiduguri - Civilian JTF

SAN FRANCISCO, March 14, (THEWILL) - The volunteer youth vigilante group assisting the military in Borno, the Civilian JTF, said that over 207 Boko Haram gunmen were killed in the attack in Maiduguri, the Borno capital, on Friday.

Abdullahi Dere, who is the Chairman of Sector 5 of the Civilian JTF in Jidari Polo near the Giwa barrack which was attacked by suspected militants , said several Boko Haram gunmen fled the town for their hideouts with series of injuries.

"We counted 207 dead bodies of Boko Haram members shot dead by the military in Jidari Polo area alone.

The suspected Boko Haram members had attacked Giwa Barracks and freed some of the detainees but the military were able to go after them and killed them.

"As we speak the dead bodies of the terrorists are still within our area unattended to .

"We were also able to capture some fleeing Boko Haram suspects and handed them over to the military," he said.

Corroborating Dere on the casualties figure , the Vice Chairman of the vigilante group in the area, Tijjani Bello, said apart from 207 killed close to the barracks, many more were killed in different parts of the city.

"Many Boko Haram members were also killed apart from the ones killed in Jidari Polo.

But we only fear that some innocent residents may be among those killed," he said.

The gunmen had stormed the Barracks through the nearby riverside as early as 6:30 am and started shooting at about 8:30 am at every possible target making many residents to flee their homes.

Borno State Police Commissioner Lawal Tanko while confirmed the incident refused to give details as he told inquisitive journalists that "We are in operation please I have no details now.

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