Boko Haram terrorists yesterday attacked the Maiduguri Air Force Base, including the Maiduguri International Airport and other places in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The siege which started at about 3am shook the town as sporadic gunshots and other rocket propelled grenade launchers were heard, with ensuing airstrikes in Maiduguri and Jere metropolis till 8am yesterday.
As a result of the dare devil siege on the base and the airport, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday summoned service chiefs to an emergency meeting in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Details of the meeting were not made known at press time.
Similarly, Gov Kashim Shettima has imposed a 24hour curfew on the state capital.
Sources said several people were killed as the terrorists, numbering over 300, planted explosives in targeted areas in the state capital. At least two planes were reportedly set ablaze.
Also attacked were the newly constructed trailer park along Damaturu-Maiduguri Road, military check points, residential and public buildings which, according to the source, led to high casualties among the terrorists and security agencies; though actual figure of casualty was at press time not kwon as all efforts to establish link with the Maiduguri Police Command from Abuja proved abortive.
An eye witness who resides in Gomari airport area, just few metres away to the air force base said: “I saw five military operation vehicles conveying dead bodies to the hospital at about 6:00 am.”
It was also gathered that over a hundred terrorists were killed by military airstrikes in the counter offensive.
An official of the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, who did not want to be named said the sect members tried to burn down the Maiduguri International Airport, but did not succeed.
Meanwhile, all operations and commercial activities have been suspended in the airport following the directive from airport authorities.
Subsequently, Defence Headquarters confirmed to our correspondent that they suffered some casualties in the Maiduguri attack in a fierce fight between Nigerian security forces and Boko Haram members.
According to the Defence Headquarters, “Three decommissioned military aircrafts as well as two helicopters were incapacitated in the course of the attack. Two air force personnel were also wounded while 24 insurgents died during the exchange of fire.”
The meeting between the president and the service chiefs ended without details at press time.
Although there was no official statement on the meeting, presidency sources said President Jonathan was not comfortable with the development and needed an immediate briefing from the security chiefs.
In attendance were the National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, Chief of Army Staff, Leutenant General Azubike Ihejirika and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Alex Badeh.