Scores killed as troops battle Boko Haram in Maiduguri

Sunday service was disrupted in most churches in Maiduguri, Borno State this morning as insurgents entered the capital city from Dalwa with armoured tanks and other weapons, shooting and killing.
Freedom Online learnt that the attack started “a few minutes after 5am” and soldiers immediately mobilised to counter them.
One of the residents told Freedom Online that the aim of Boko Haram leadership was to capture Maiduguri, an important city in the North-East, a few days before the February 14 presidential election “to send a strong message to the government that it is in charge of the city”.
Signals were immediately sent out by troops to religious leaders not to open churches and mosques “to reduce casualties”.
It was learnt that troops had killed many of the insurgents and the battle is fierce along Maiduguri/Damboa highway.
Fighter jets had been deployed to bomb the advancing insurgents. Residents remain indoors.
Speaking on phone with our reporter, one of the residents said: “We don’t really know what is going on now. I have never heard this type of bombing and shooting in my life. We are all afraid here. Even light (electricity) had been cut. May God protect us”.
The insurgents had, last week, launched simultaneous attacks on three Borno towns, Maiduguri, Konguda and Munguno.