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Suspected Boko Haram militants attack city of Maiduguri in northern Nigeria Boko Haram militants attack city of Maiduguri in northern Nigeria
(about 3 hours later)
Suspected Boko Haram militants began attacking Nigeria's major northeastern city of Maiduguri just after midnight on Sunday, military, government and local sources said. Boko Haram militants have launched a fierce attack on Nigeria's major northeastern city of Maiduguri, according to military and government sources.
At around 9 am (0800 GMT) on Sunday, a Reuters witness said shelling could be heard and that military helicopters were circling the city. The attack was launched in the early hours of Sunday morning and shelling and gunfire was reported to be heard later in the day.
All roads have been closed, a security source said, and commercial activity has been shut down. Military helicopters are circling the city and air strikes are being carried out. Authorities have imposed a curfew, all roads have been closed and commercial premises have been shut.
The militants began the attack at the edge of the city in the Njimtilo area. The city is the capital of Borno state and would be a major prize for the insurgents who are trying to carve out an Islamic state. It is believed that militants began the attack at the edge of the city in the Njimtilo area. As the capital of Borno state, Maiduguri would be a major asset for Boko Haram should it fall.
Boko Haram has waged a five-year insurgency to carve out an Islamic state in the northeast of Africa's biggest economy. The militants control vast swathes of Borno state and some areas of neighbouring Adamawa and Yobe states. They recently took control of the town and army base at Baga by Lake Chad. The city is home to many thousands of people who have fled attacks by the militants from smaller towns and cities in the northeast of Nigeria.
The army's inability to squash the group has become a major headache for President Goodluck Jonathan, who is seeking re-election in February. Jonathan visited the state capital on Saturday as part of his campaign and opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari was due to arrive Monday. Rachel Adamu, who lives in the Njimtilo district, said "please pray for us, we are in danger, under serious attack now."
The insurgents last attempted to take Maiduguri from the same area in December 2013 and attacked a nearby army and airforce base. Boko Haram has waged a five-year insurgency, killing thousands of civilians in the process, in its attempt to create an Islamic state in the north of the country.
A resident, Rachel Adamu, who lives around Njimtilo said "please pray for us, we are in danger, under serious attack now." The group already controls huge parts of Borno state and some areas of neighbouring Adamawa and Yobe states.
Reuters In recent weeks they have taken control of Baga and the nearby army base, in an attack that was described as one of Boko Haram's deadliest to date.
President Goodluck Jonathan visited Maiduguri on Saturday as part of his campaign for re-election in February. The inability of the government to deal with the insurgents is causing major problems for the president and his government.
On Monday the opposition leader, Muhammadu Buhari, is scheduled to visit the state capital.
Boko Haram last attempted to capture Maiduguri and a nearby army and airforce base in December 2013, but were pushed back by government forces.
Additional reporting by Reuters