By Sam kayode
Heavy gunshots accompanied with explosives were heard in the Ajilari area in the outskirts of Maiduguri, during the early hours of today putting residents at the nearby Ngomari airport and Njimtilo axis at red alert.
The attack which caused panic at that axis of the state capital actually infused confusion into the immediate residents of Dala, Bulamari, and Ajilari Cross, where many residents started fleeing their homes to avoid being caught in the cross fire between the terrorists and the military.
Eye witnesses told this reporter that the joint military team immediately took charge to counter the move of the criminals even as the Nigerian Air Force fighter jets were seen hovering around that particular area and supporting ground troops in the counter exercise.
The attempt to infiltrate the city through ajilari occurred shortly before muslim faithfuls were billed to come out for the continuation of the last ten days prayers which they usually embark upon before “sahari” which is usually followed up by final morning prayers for the day.
Responding to the attempt, the Borno State Police command spokesperson Daso Nahum confirmed the incident but added that details were quite sketchy during that wee hours of the day.
In a short release he went on “Following reports of an attack by suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists around Ajilari cross/kofa area of Maiduguri, Joint Security operatives have been mobilized to the scene and efforts are ongoing to assess the situation and restore normalcy.
” Members of the public are advised to remain calm, avoid the affected area, and cooperate with security agencies as further updates will be communicated in due course.”
The insurgents were caught off guard recently by the military which destroyed their strong holds in the alagheno forest and the Timbuktu triangle
But since those clearance attacks,the insurgents have been blaring their fangs indicating that they are no longer rag tag or helpless as previous commanders describe them.
In as much as residents in Maiduguri and Biu have natural resistance embedded in their mind set against the criminals, there is an obvious need for more boots on the ground to support the state capital which has enjoyed peace for a long time now.
