Police confirm Boko Haram attack on Maiduguri

AHMED MARI, Maiduguri

The Borno State Police command has confirmed attempt to infiltrate Maiduguri, the state capital to disturb the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The Command in a press statement signed by its spokesman, DSP Edet Okon, said “following the release earlier today, the Command wishes to state that additional information at the disposal of the command reveals that Boko Haram insurgents attempted to infiltrate the Metropolis by launching sporadic artillery shots at security facilities from far distances at about 0520hrs of today. The shots which were fired probably with a view to weakening the security forces so as to give the insurgents easy access to disrupt the elections met superior artillery power of the military.”

The statement said the security agencies quickly counter attack launched by the security forces caused the insurgents to bid a retreat, adding that though some missiles strayed into vulnerable locations, no casualty was recorded.

DSP Okon said normalcy has since been restored and the Military, and Strike units of the Police namely SARS, PMF, EOD and CTU were on top of the situation.

The Police further said: “The election is progressing peacefully in all designated polling units throughout the state with heavy deployment of Security personnel.”

“The Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, CP Damian Chukwu, assures members of the public of the commitment of the Command towards providing a safe and enabling environment for eligible voters to cast their votes.,” the statement added.

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