Maiduguri Streets Deserted Over Fears Of Boko Haram Attack

SAN FRANCISCO, July 07, (THEWILL) -Residents of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, the headquarters of the terrorist group Boko Haram, were enveloped by fear early Monday following reports that the terrorists group would launch deadly attacks in the city.

The news which turned out to be false compelled many who had left their homes for work to return so as not to get caught in the crossfire between the terrorists and soldiers. Thousands have been killed since the radical Islamists started their campaign against the Nigerian state mainly in northern Nigeria.

News of the Boko Haram attack filtered into the city early Monday morning following their Friday assault on Damboa, a town about 70 miles from Maiduguri, where dozens of residents were killed. 53 terrorists were also killed as well as over twenty others including soldiers and policemen during a gunfight.

THEWILL gathered that some policemen had earlier been attacked by the Boko Haram at Bulabulin Nganaram, about 55 kilometres from Maiduguri.

Witnesses said rapid gunfire from the retreating policemen and some soldiers at a military checkpoint around a town called Mule, about 22 miles from Maiduguri, caused the panic as residents of Mule started fleeing to Maiduguri for safety.