An imminent attack by Boko Haram militants in the North east city of Maiduguri was repelled by the Nigerian forces.
Blasts and heavy gunfire were heard by residents in the city which is the capital of Borno,the state worst hit by the insurgency aimed at creating an Islamic caliphate in the north east which has killed more than 30,000 people since 2009.
Confirming the incident the military said it was the second such clash in a month
“Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have in the late hours of today, Thursday 26 April 2018, successful repelled Boko Haram terrorist incursion in the outskirt of Jidari Polo area of Maiduguri,” said the emailed statement.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who took office in 2015 vowing to end the insurgency, has made it a priority to improve security in Africa’s most populous country. The issue has become politically charged in the run-up to an election next year which Buhari said he wants to contest.
Boko Haram militants attempted to enter Maiduguri earlier this month, fighting soldiers in an attack in which at least 15 people were killed and 83 injured..
In the course of fighting the latest attack, the military said troops had been supported by the air force, police and other security agencies.
Witnesses had reported a heavy military presence and crowded streets as people attempted to flee to safety.
The general public and residents who fled the area earlier were urged to return home, the military statement said.
The government has not disclosed which elements of Boko Haram it is in discussions with and it was also not clear which faction carried out the latest attack.
