In a coordinated action, the Boko Haram sect on Monday morning attacked the International Airport in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, as well as other areas of the metropolis.
The shock wave among the residents and the Joint Task Force in the state has resulted in a 24-hour curfew in the state capital, beginning from this morning.
It was learnt from sources in the Military that the attack on the airport was massive, the sect members bombing some areas within the airport.
“I’m not in the state, but my colleagues just told me that an aircraft has been destroyed. We are also yet to know the casualty figure”, the military source confided in Huhuonline.com.
However, he promised to get back once the casualty figure has been ascertained.
The Boko Haram sect has continued with successful attacks despite heavy military presence in the affected northern states of the country.
Apart from the International Airport attacked by members of the sect, Huhuonline.com has learnt that while the attack on the airport was ongoing, another set of the terrorist group attacked the Composite Group Air Force Base also in Maiduguri.
In the attack believed to have begun from about 3am, the Boko Haram members, about 300 of them according to the state government, also attacked the newly constructed trailer park, along Damaturu-Maiduguri Road, government buildings, residential areas as well as military check points.
Our source said the casualty figures from both the Military, the sect and victims of the attack are very high.
According to the source, the sect members attacked with various weapons, such as Rocket Propelled Grenade Launchers, locally manufactured explosives and other arms.
The Military had to resort to air strikes to be able to quell the attack and cause the surviving Boko Haram members to retreat.
Announcing the 24-hour curfew, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Jidda, revealed that the government consulted with the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri before taking the action, and pleaded with all citizens to remain calm during the period of curfew.
“Only vehicles on emergency calls and essential services are allowed to move while the curfew will be lifted as soon as situation improves”, the statement from his office said.
“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”.
Ibrahim Attahiruon, spokesman for the Army, said some of the sect members attacked a target close to the airport with no details
