Residents of Maiduguri in Maiduguri were thrown into panic early Monday after suspected members of Boko Haram reportedly launched an attack, triggering an exchange of gunfire with security forces.
According to residents, the shooting began around 12:35 a.m., forcing many people out of their homes as the sounds of gunshots echoed across parts of the city.
One resident, Abdulamalik Aminu, who lives near the Pompommari Bypass area, said people in his neighbourhood quickly woke up when the firing started.
“From my area, we heard it loudly. All of us are outside now. Some people are trying to leave their homes. Boko Haram members are exchanging gunfire with security personnel, but for now, the situation has calmed down,” he said.
Witnesses said security operatives responded quickly after the attackers opened fire sporadically, with reinforcements from both the military and the police moving into the area.
The Borno State Police Command later confirmed the incident.
Police spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, said officers had been deployed to the scene and assured residents that authorities were working to restore calm.
He added that more information would be released as investigations continue.
Residents also reported seeing military helicopters hovering over Maiduguri and nearby communities as security forces coordinated their response to the situation.
Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, has been at the centre of Nigeria’s long-running insurgency in the North-East, where Boko Haram and other armed groups have carried out attacks on communities and security formations over the years.
Authorities have not yet confirmed casualties or the full extent of the attack as of the time of filing this report.
