The plans by Islamist insurgents, Boko Haram to free their colleagues being detained at a military barracks in Maiduguri, north-east Nigeria has been foiled, Nigeria’s Defence headquarters has announced.
Reacting to the reported attack of Giwa barracks in Maiduguri, Borno state capital in the early hours of Friday, the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Chris Olukolade said the terrorists recorded heavy human casualty during exchange of gun fire.
Olukolade did not disclose the number of casualty on the side of the insurgents. However, he said four soldiers were injured and now being treated.
The statement issued by the Defence headquarters reads, “Pockets of terrorists apparently in a move to boost their depleted stock of fighters this morning attacked a military location in Maiduguri with a view to freeing their colleagues who are being held in detention.
“The attack has been successfully repelled with heavy human casualty on the terrorists. Some of the victims of the terrorists’ fire in their efforts to break into the detention facility included those they came to rescue. Many of the terrorists and their weapons have been captured.
“Four soldiers were wounded and are being treated. Hot pursuits by land and air operations are ongoing along with cordon and search of surrounding localities.
“No institution has been reported attacked, although the effect of firing from the encounter could be noticed in surrounding facilities in Maiduguri. Details will be given later.
“It is believed that this terrorists attempt is in response to the intensity of attacks on their strongholds in camps at Talala, Monguzum, Sambisa forests, Gwoza, Mandara mountains as well as the general area of Lake Chad.
The camps have been destroyed and many insurgents killed”.
