Five Aircraft Razed as Boko Haram Attacks Maiduguri

Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd),   National Security Adviser  

After almost seven months of relative peace in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, the city came under renewed attacks Monday by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, leading to the death of two military personnel, 24 insurgents, the destruction of three decommissioned military aircraft, two helicopters and property worth millions of naira, which were burnt during the onslaught.

Owing to the siege, military authorities and the Borno State Government slammed a 24-hour curfew on the city and its environs.

According to residents, they were awoken by countless bomb blasts and sporadic gunshots around 3 am, which rented the air throughout the night.

The attack forced the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to shut down the Maiduguri International Airport and Arik Air to cancel its Abuja to Maiduguri morning flight Monday, just as several other roads leading into the city were closed.

President Goodluck Jonathan on hearing the news of the multiple attacks and accompanying destruction summoned an emergency security council meeting.

Those who attended the meeting were the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd); Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubike Ihejirika; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Alex Badeh.

But no official statement was issued at the end of the meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The CDS emerged at 3.40 pm from the meeting and initially declined to talk to journalists on the incident, but later said the situation was being managed.

But the Chief of Air Staff refused to take questions from newsmen, saying, “Please ask the CDS, it is only the CDS that should talk for all of us.”

At the time of filing this report, residents who live around Moduganari, Bulumkutu and Ngomari settlements said both military and the terrorists were felled in the confrontation.