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City of fear as Islamists strike againMonday, February 02, 2015
Boko Haram fighters have launched a fresh attempt to take over the strategically crucial northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, a brazen attack on a state capital just two weeks before national elections.
Residents said fighting began at night with explosions and gunfire as the militants tried to enter the city from the south. Troops backed by vigilantes have been battling the assailants for hours, with the fighting concentrated in the Mulai area just three kilometers south of the city.
"The city is in fear," said resident Adam Krenuwa. "People are afraid of what will happen if Boko Haram defeats the security forces."
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The Islamist rebels tried to capture Maiduguri just a week ago, but were repelled by troops.Losing control of Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, would be an enormous defeat for the security forces, whose handling of the six-year Islamist uprising has been fiercely criticized.
The city's fall would also likely spark a humanitarian disaster.
Maiduguri's population is believed to have swelled above two million in recent weeks as residents from other parts of Borno have been forced to flee to the city to seek refuge from Boko Haram violence.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
