‘Hundreds’ dead as troops repel Islamic extremists

Nigerian troops have repelled Islamic extremists who attacked from four fronts on Maiduguri, the biggest city in north-east Nigeria, with several civilians killed by aerial bombs, and grenades and mortar shells on the ground.

Soldiers said hundreds of insurgents died.

Terrified residents yesterday fled from homes shaking from five hours of heavy artillery fire and streamed in from the outskirts of the besieged city of 2m, already crowded with another 200,000 refugees from the fighting.

For weeks, Islamist militants Boko Haram has been closing in on Maiduguri, the group’s spiritual birthplace, and if it were able to plant its Islamic State-style flag there, even briefly, it would provide a major boost as the group loses ground in more remote areas, said Jacob Zenn, author of a book about the insurgents.

Its third attack in a week on Maiduguri came as Chadian forces launched a winning offensive, acting on foot of an African Union directive for Nigeria’s neighbours to help fight the spreading Islamic uprising by Nigeria’s homegrown Boko Haram extremists.

International outrage has grown over Boko Haram attacks across the border into Cameroon and increasing ferocity that culminated in the slaughter of hundreds of civilians in Baga on January 3.

A Chadian jet fighter, supported by ground troops, bombed the extremists out of Gamboru and Kolfata at the weekend and from Malumfatori on Thursday, witnesses said.

Chadian troops in Kolfata were “dancing around their country’s flag and chanting”, said farmer Awami Kolobe, who was quoting refugees who returned across the border from Cameroon. The towns had been under the sway of Boko Haram for months.

African leaders at a summit on Saturday authorised the creation of a 7,500-strong multinational force to fight Boko Haram.

Boko Haram warned against the coalition and said it will attack Niger if it sends troops, just as it has attacked Cameroon.

It comes as Nigerians prepare for a closely contested February 14 presidential election.

In the past, Boko Haram has denounced democracy.

In Maiduguri, a senior army officer said the militants were “everywhere,” attacking from all four roads leading into the city.

Another officer said hundreds of insurgents, as many as 500, were killed before they took flight and many weapons were recovered including artillery guns and rocket-propelled grenades.

Witnesses said some bombs launched from a Nigerian jet fighter killed civilians. Many homes were hit by bombs, including one in Zannari neighborhood that killed seven civilians, according to neighbours who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation from the military.

Ahmadu Marima said troops shot and killed five young men from a civilian self-defence group in his Abujantalakawa suburb, mistaking them for insurgents.

An elderly man and his granddaughter were killed when a rocket-propelled grenade exploded in their front garden, injuring a second girl, Marima said.