SaharaReporters learnt that fighters from the Islamist sect Boko Haram are attempting to bomb and take over a major military base known as "Giwa barracks" in Maiduguri.
A gunfight is raging in the area as at the time of publishing this report.
Updates 10.49 a.m:
Deadly Boko Haram fighters stormed a military barrack in Maiduguri and the city is still under heavy guns
and bomb attack as at the time of reporting...
soldiers at the Giwa Barrack in Maidiguri were taken unaware by the men who
stormed the place in several vehicles. At least, three bombs have been deployed by the insurgents.
The soldiers are said to be engaging Boko Haram in a serious gun battle and the town is now in commotion.
Updates 11.22 a.m:
Suspected members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect this morning launched a daring attack on Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Sources said the assailants sneaked into Maiduguri and divided themselves into groups, some headed towards the Giwa Barracks, some stormed the University of Maiduguri, some waylaid Fouri-a thriving settlement of elites and locals while hundreds of others stormed parts of the new GRA.
"They set many houses on fire in Fouri and killed innocent people... I escaped by the grace of God," Jamila Yusuf, a married woman told our correspondent by phone.
"I saw dead bodies and many people with gunshots. The gunmen came to our area in droves, they wore flowing gowns and brandished guns, chanting 'Allahu Akbar' as they set houses on fire," she said.
The suprised morning attack shook unsuspecting residents who had started celebrating the return of peace in the state capital following the recent raid at the Sambisa Forest by combined forces that led to the killing of hundreds of insurgents and sacking of training camps.
A fighter jet was also seen hovering around the Giwa Barracks.
Multiple sounds of exploding bombs that started sround 7.04am are still roaring even as many families have fled their homes.
"There is thick smoke billowing. The assailants are hurling explosives into the Giwa Barracks and the multitude of soldiers inside the barracks are firing back," Hamisu Musa, who leaves not far from the barracks said.
"At present, thick smoke is billowing from the direction of the barrack...no one can tell whether the attackers have entered the barrack or not but fighting is ongoing," he said.
The 21 Brigade Giwa Barracks is the lifewire of the military in Borno State before the establishment of the 7 Division Of the Nigerian Army.
Details are sketchy but sources said the terrorists, in their hundreds stormed Maiduguri through the River Ngadda which the feeds the Alo Dam.
There is pondemonium in the city as many parents have dropped their children in school.
Updates 11.54 am:
The attackers, shooting sporadically at anything in sight, arrived at about 7:20 a.m. Friday through an area called Fori, near the Army’s main base called Giwa Barracks.
The heavy shooting continues as at the time of this report.
An airforce jet fighter arrived exactly an hour after the attack started.
Women, children, men, young and old around the Giwa barracks area were seen running in confusion.
Echoes of gunfire and explosion were heard from the area.
The military jet continued to drop bombs at targeted areas.
Armed policemen have taken over some of the major roads leading to major government facilities.
Those who saw some of the attackers said they were dressed in military uniform.
The Boko Haram insurgents attempted invading the Giwa Barracks, but were repelled by soldiers.
Thick Smokes bellowing everywhere.
The attack is still on.....
UPDATES 12.24 pm:
A PREMIUM TIMES reporter in Maiduguri narrowly escaped being shot by Boko Haram insurgent.
Echoes of gunfire and explosion were heard from the area.
The military jet continued to drop bombs at targeted areas.
Armed policemen have taken over some of the major roads leading to major government facilities.
Updates 12.32 pm:
Military repels Boko Haram attack in Maiduguri
Five sect members arrested, female student of University of Maiduguri shot.
Two hours after the first triple assault on Giwa barracks in Maiduguri, Borno State capital by suspected insurgents, gun shots are still being heard from a distance from the GRA police station.
Fighter planes of the Nigerian air force which responded with record speed according to one security personnel seem to be dropping bombs in a staccato manner returning back to base after the operation.
The varying sounds indicate different types of weapons used by both soldiers and insurgents said residents of the state hotel who have witnessed such encounters in recently.
Meanwhile five members of the sect have been caught close to the University of Maiduguri where they have been said to have stormed the town very close to the University simultaneously.
Students living around Barma road said a stray bullet hit a female student who was going to school about the same time when the others stormed the town from the University side.
Although no death figure has been confirmed by the University, a mass communications student Mayum Etim told The Nation on phone that ” It was correct that the insurgents stormed an area close to our school but they did not enter the campus. ”
” A female student was said to have received bullet wounds on her shoulder just above her breast but she has gone for treatment to stop the bleeding at the teaching hospital where services were still on going since they have soldiers keeping on guard.
“They did not enter our campus. It is however deserted by students who took off for their lives when the shots started booming opposite the campus. Soldiers have completely cordoned the place and the usual 7th division trucks are patrolling our streets from the Konjuga end of the University to Customs area which has porous areas where they dared to enter having being repelled from the Giwa barracks axis.
“The civilian JTF guys are doing a great job as they have been fishing out the determined insurgents who are bent on destabilizing the town. As a matter of fact, they have just caught five fleeing members of the sect near our home outside the Campos. They have been handed over to the men of the 7th division.
Meanwhile the daring seige on Maiduguri from about three fronts of the town continues. Fire Service vehicles were seen being escorted by soldiers to an unknown destination to put off fire on buildings that may have been set on fire by the insurgents from the Giwa barracks end of the town.
Updates 12.45pm:
Military repels attack on Giwa Barracks as Boko Haram attempts to free ‘Butcher’, other members:
Attempt by Boko Haram members on Friday morning to free its members from the Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri, Borno State was quelled by vigilant security personnel on duty.
The attack occurred at about 7.30am on Friday.
The insurgents, it was learnt, invaded the area through Bama road. But contrary to reports that they launched an attack on the University of Maiduguri, DailyPost was informed that the members only used the school bypass to reach the Barracks.
They however, fired several shots as they moved speedily.
A source within the security circles told our reporter in Abuja that the sect had attempted to release a number of leaders arrested and detained in the barracks.
“Virtually, all their top leaders arrested are inside Giwa Barracks; that explains the brazen attack. They could not enter the barracks, so what they did was to shoot sporadically; they also threw bombs from outside,” he disclosed.
“One of their leaders holed up there include a ‘Butcher’, a ranking member whose recent capture by the forces has demoralized the group.
“Boko Haram look up to him for spiritual powers and guidance, and this morning attack was to rescue him and others. They believe any minute their masters spend there is a threat to their existence.
“As I speak, fighter jets are in the air, as well as ground troops, chasing the members. They took to their heels immediately the military responded with aerial shelling. But air officers are being careful because these guys run into communities.
“The area has been cordoned off and I can assure you that most of the attackers are trapped.”
On how soldiers will differentiate civilians and the terrorists, he said the villagers must assist the military if they really want Boko Haram challenge to become a thing of the past.
“I always say this, the greatest problem to ending this menace is the uncooperative attitude of the people. They shield the sect members for fear or favour and unless they assist, this issue will be hard to resolve,” he said.
Friday’s attack is also believed to be a retaliation for the current shelling of the base of the sect in Sambisa, Barga and several others hidden in the savannah parts of the state.
DailyPost gathered that the military has in the meantime, set up a perimeter to cover the state Government House, Polo ground and UNIMAID which are all close to Giwa Barracks.
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