No fewer than 15 persons are feared dead and 55 others sustained injuries in a Sunday night attack by Boko Haram insurgents at Bale community in the outskirts of Maiduguri.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that echoes from sporadic gunshots and multiple explosions which lasted for hours on Sunday evening, were heard from the outskirts of the city.

Competent security sources told NAN that a number of insurgents attacked Bale-Shuwa and Bale-Kura communities near Maiduguri in an attempt to infiltrate the town at about 8: 00 p. m.

The source disclosed that the insurgents parked their vehicles few meters away from a security check point and sneaked into the community.

The source added that the security operatives engaged in fierce gun battle with the insurgents who detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and shot sporadically.

“Dozens of people including women and children were wounded from the explosion and gun shots.

“Due to darkness dead bodies were not evacuated immediately because there were suicide bombers among the attackers,” the source added.

However, the Commander of the Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen. Rogers  Nicholas, denied any death on the side of his soldiers or civilians  in the attack.

Reacting to NAN inquiry in a text message he said, however, that some of the Boko Haram insurgents were killed.

“That’s not correct.  There was an attack which was repelled and some Boko Haram insurgents were killed by gallant soldiers.

“However, Boko Haram came with suicide bombers who denoted their vests while running from the troops fire in a nearby community and that led to 14 civilians being injured from the blasts.”

At least four members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect, four suicide bombers and three civilians were killed in separate attacks on two villages of Malumti and Muna Zawiya village, Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State on Friday 30th March.

A press statement signed by  Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, Deputy Director, Public Relations, Theatre Command, ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’, said, “the four insurgents who had been routed out of the Sambisa Forest by troops in Operation Deep Punch II, were rummaging for food and logistics when they met their Waterloo.

“The gallant troops recovered a Toyota Land Cruiser, one AK 47 Rifle, 15 Rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition and one magazine. Troops also recovered 47 Jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, from the insurgents.

“In another development, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole deployed at a checkpoint ahead of Muna Zawiya in the outskirts of Maiduguri, on Thursday, neutralised four suicide bombers comprising a male and three females.

“The suicide bombers were attempting to infiltrate the Maiduguri Metropolis through Muna Zawiya area at about  9.30 pm  but were spotted by vigilant troops, who fired shots hitting one of them and thereby triggering a simultaneous explosion killing all the four bombers.

“Regrettably, however, 18 persons were injured in the incident. The wounded have been evacuated for medical attention. Meanwhile, troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force are presently   conducting cordon and search operation in the area for any other suicide bomber lurking around. But available information obtained from residents so far, revealed that the four blasts were said to be carried out by the suicide bombers leading to the killing of three civilians, apart from the 4 bombers. 18 others sustained various degrees of injuries as well as 5 sheep’s killed during the blasts. The injured persons are currently responding to treatment at specialist hospital Maiduguri.”

3 Suicide Bombers Kill Selves In Maiduguri

Confirming the Muna Zawiya suicide attacks, though Contradictory to that of the military, Police Public Relations of Borno State Command, DSP Edet Okon, in a statement earlier said,

“At about 2149hrs yesterday, 30/3/18 four (4) female suicide bombers infiltrated Muna Zawiya village in Mafa LGA outskirt of Maiduguri Metropolis.

“They detonated the explosives killing themselves and one other person (female). Thirteen   (13) persons were injured and were taken to a hospital where they are responding to treatment. “The Borno state police command had dispatched men to the scene including men of the CTU,   SARS and EOD to sweep the place and make the environment safe. Normalcy has returned to the area.

Meanwhile, adequate security arrangements has being emplaced for a hitch free Easter celebration. Patrol   and Monitoring Continues.” said Okon.