Marte takeover: Heavy explosions rock Maiduguri, scores feared dead
By Ayo Fadimu
Hours after military troops successfully recaptured Marte and cleared its environs from ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists, heavy explosions have rocked some parts of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
Our Correspondent gathered that suspected Boko Haram fighters launched multiple mortar bombs at the outskirt of the city. The explosions occurred at Gwange, Layin Bori and Bulabulin axis of Maiduguri city.
The terrorists were suspected to have sneaked into Ngomari through Kaleri, forcing residents of the area to scamper for safety.
The thunderous sounds of heavy firearms started at about 5:45p.m. and continued intermittently for about an hour.
Residents of Gwange Layin Bori said a rocket-propelled warhead that landed on their neighbourhood had inflicted ‘damages’ on the residents.
Maiduguri has been long without witnessing any Boko Haram invasion, even as the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru last Sunday while on Operational Visit to the state gave 48 hours ultimatum to troops to recapture Marte Local Government Area
One of the fleeing residents of Kagalmari, Ahmed Abba near Pole wire Biyu of Gwange General Area in the heart of the city said “a heavy explosion which was detonated in one of the public gatherings led to the killing of scores and injured.”
Also, sources said, one of the Rocket Propelled Launchers fired by the insurgents into Kaleri has killed an unspecified number of residents with others sustained injuries.
However, a source who craved anonymity confirmed the incident, he added that “there was an attempted infiltration into Maiduguri by Boko Haram elements. He said the attack came from the Kaleri, London Chiki axis.
“They fired about five mortar rounds indiscriminately which landed around Gwange and injured an unspecified number of people.
“However, troops of Sector 1 quickly mobilised and reinforced the location, forcing the criminals to withdraw.”
Nigerian NewsDirect learnt that a team of special forces headed by Commander 195 Battalion Jere, Lt. Col. Ponfap Wuyep engaged the terrorists around Baram Karwa community in the area of the city, forcing the terrorists to retreat in disarray. Some casualties of the explosions were taken to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Before the bombardment, the Nigerian troops had recovered New Marte and adjoining communities in Borno, killing scores of Boko Haram/Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists who had laid siege on the area for some days.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima said in a statement that the feat was achieved on Tuesday at about 3 p.m.
Yerima said the troops achieved the success in less than the 48 hours, after the Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, had given the troops a 48-hour directive to recover the town.
He said the troops, backed by air cover from the Nigerian Air Force, successfully swept through Marte town, destroying several Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) and landmines laced across their routes.
According to him, scores of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists were killed.
“The gallant troops are currently in total control of the general area,” he said.
