ALASHOCK'S BLOG

Boko Haram insurgents have captured Monguno, a town that shares borders with Baga. The town was attacked at about the same time with Maiduguri on Sunday [Jan 25] morning, but the terrorists were routed from the Borno State capital.

According to security sources, the soldiers that fled Monguno were seen in Maiduguri. Also with the fleeing Nigerian soldiers were some Cameroon soldiers who had assisted to keep the place secure before the attack. It was also gathered that some of the people that were killed were Customs officers who were deployed to the entrance of Maiduguri.

Also killed were some residents that fled their homes during the attack on Maiduguri into the streets. They were said to have been hit by stray bullets. It was learnt some of the insurgents fled into some residences in the town and were picked up by the youth vigilante and soldiers. In the attempt by Boko Haram to capture Maiduguri on Sunday, nine soldiers may have lost their lives even as the members of the terrorist group were dealt a heavy blow with the loss of 56 and seizure of their prized equipment.

The attack on the historic Maiduguri, the capital of esteemed Kanem Bornu empire and modern day Borno state, which the insurgents have indicated interest in making the capital of their Islamic state or caliphate, began at about 12:30am and could not be totally suppressed until about 11am.

It was gathered that hundreds of the heavily armed terrorists tried to gain entrance into the town through Jinikin-Moronti on the outskirts on the road leading from Maiduguri to Damaturu along Jos-Kano highway and close to two major housing estates, 1000 and 707. The terrorist group was confronted by eagle-eyed soldiers and other security operatives at the 33 Battalion Barrack at the entrance to the town.

The battle raged between 12:30am and about 3:30am with the soldiers at the barracks assisted by other soldiers at various facilities within the town. Other security operatives and members of the youth vigilante group joined in the mission and ensured the insurgents were successfully repelled.

Just when everyone thought the insurgents had been beaten back, they re-emerged with new, more determined and stronger firepower which caused the people of the town to notice that a major battle was on. They were left awe-stricken and many could not come out let alone going to church for the Sunday worship service, as the battle went on from 5:40am to about 11 am.

Heavy shelling resounded all around the town as the military had to deploy both ground and aerial battle to suppress the determined insurgents, who seemed to be high on something and well-motivated to take over the town.

FLASH: Troops are repelling a simultaneous attack on and by Terrorists.Coordinated Air and Land OPs being conducted
— DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DefenceInfoNG)

: Curfew is imposed on with immediate effect till further notice as pursuit of retreating terrorists begin.
— DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DefenceInfoNG)