Many feared killed, others injured in Boko Haram attack on Maiduguri

The Borno State Police Command on Friday disclosed that six persons were killed in an attack coordinated by Boko Haram terrorists at Jidari Polo area of Maiduguri on Thursday.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr Edet Okon, said the victims included three civilians, a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and two female suicide bombers.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports Okon as disclosing that two men of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) and seven other persons sustained injuries from gunshots and explosions in the attack.

He added that an Amoured Personnel Carrier of the police was damaged in the attack.

Okon said: “On Thursday April 26; at about 17: 00 pm, Boko Haram Terrorists launched a surprise attack at Jidari Polo area of Maiduguri near the Federal High court.

“The terrorists fired sporadically and detonated Improvise Explosive Devices (IEDs). The Borno State Police Command promptly deployed combat teams of SARS, PMF and EOD to support the Military and the Divisional Police Officer of GRA division who were already at the scene.

The insurgents were successfully repelled by the security forces after fierce gun battle with profuse tear smoke application.

“There was no casualty on the side of the police apart from two SARS personnel that were injured in the battle. A police Amoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was also damaged by IED explosions. Seven other persons were severely injured.

“Four persons including a member of the CJTF and two female suicide bombers were killed in crossfire and IED explosions.

“The victims and corpses were evacuated to the Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri. Normalcy has been restored in the area”.

The PPRO stated that preemptive deployments were being put in place to forestall further surprise attack.

He quoted the Police Commissioner, Mr Damian Chukwu, as calling on members of the public to go about their lawful activities without fear.