Nigerian military on Saturday denied there was a terrorist attack on Maiduguri, Borno State Capital as widely reported in the local and international media.
However, a statement issued by the Defence headquarters admitted troops launched a counter attack on a group of terrorists that had killed for persons during attack in the outskirts of Maiduguri, on the same day.
The statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukodae reads, “There was no attack on Maiduguri metropolis as widely reported this morning by some media outlets especially a foreign television channel.
“Rather, on receiving distress call, troops at about 2am this morning launched a counter attack using mainly mortar shells on a group of terrorists who had attacked and killed four persons in Margimari village and other settlements in the outskirts of Maiduguri.
“There was no fighting or attack around the University or any barrack in Maiduguri either, as reported”.
Meanwhile, Olukolade said a Chadian, Usman Mecheka operating with the terrorists group around Lake Chad has been taken into custody by the Multi National Joint Task Force.
“He was apprehended by the Task Force while trying to extract a ransom from herdsmen and farmers in the area, after an earlier attack on the community.
Troops of the Special Task Force in the Plateau have also raided a camp maintained by an armed gang operating in a settlement in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State. A gun fabricating machine as well as some arms and ammunition from the hideout were recovered during the raid. Also recovered during the raid, were local single barrel guns, pistols, an automatic rifle, bullet pellets and a large quantity of materials for producing gun powder.
