JUST IN: Military, ISWAP Fighters Engaged In Gun Duel On Damaturu/Maiduguri Highway

By Duku JOEL, Damaturu

A heavy gun battle between troops and Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters has broken out along Maiduguri road.

A security source revealed that the insurgents disrupted early morning travellers but have been dispersed by security forces.

“They (Boko Haram) came out between Maita Kulurri and Ngamdu and engaged our people there. Our men fought them and they retreated,” the source informed.

The situation forced the road to be blocked from the Borno and Yobe axis.

Sani, one of the drivers who plies the road, also confirmed to The Nation that their vehicle was stopped before the Army Super Camp at Ngamdu around 10am.

He said they later got the information that there was fighting between the troops and terrorists.

A passenger,Abubakar, said the incident occurred around Maita Kuluri and Ngamdu village.

He narrated that over 500 cars drove into the bush for fear of the gun battle and they waited in the bush close to 40 minutes before some courageous people started coming out of the road.

“We were coming from Maiduguri. As we were approaching between Maita Kuluri and Ngamdu, we started hearing heavy gunshots and smoke of fire. We all ran to the bush, some people even drove their cars to the bush.

“We stayed in the bush for more than 40 minutes before some people started coming to the road,” Abubakar said.

He added: “We drove past two gulf vehicles that tumbled upside down. I saw one Armored Personnel Carrier still burning with fire as at the time we passed the area. I cannot tell whether it belongs to the military of the insurgents”

The Nation reports that the insurgents came out around the area last week and abducted over 10 travellers before they were repelled by the military.

– The Nation