Several persons are believed to have died in a Boko Haram attack on Maiduguri, Borno state capital, on Tuesday.
The attack started around 6pm and lasted for an hour.
A military source said that the insurgents were attempting to infiltrate Maiduguri but they were repelled around the Kaleri area.
A resident who confirmed the attack, said, “I was on my way to the mosque when I started hearing the sounds of the bomb blast, followed by that of gunshots. The sounds were coming from Gwange area of the town.”
Another resident said: “What I hear is that the insurgents are trying to come into town through Mairi village, close to the University of Maiduguri.”
Yakaka, a Twitter user, also confirmed that he heard the blasts.
“Multiple bomb blast sounds in Maiduguri just now. Ya Allah don’t take us back to what we have left behind us. I have long forgotten this heart sinking sound till now,” he tweeted.
When contacted, Edet Okon, police spokesperson in Borno, refused to comment on the incident.
Mohammed Yerima, army spokesperson, said he was yet to be informed of the attack. “I just spoke with the theatre commander and he did not tell me of any blasts yet,” he said.
In the past, Maiduguri had come under series of Boko Haram attacks, leading to the deaths of hundreds and destruction of properties.
The city has enjoyed relative peace in the past few months.