Maiduguri – Terrorist group Boko Haram has engaged in fierce battles with the Nigerian military in the country’s city of Maidiguri and the town of Monguno.
The military claimed they were successful in preventing the fall of Maidiguri. “Troops are repelling a simultaneous attack on Monguno and Maiduguri by terrorists,” Nigeria’s defense headquarters said on Twitter.
However, fighting is still afoot in some other areas. A member of the civilian joint task force (JTF), a group combating Boko Haram, said at least 20 solders and 10 civilians had been killed in Clashes in Maiduguri.
Some 600,000 Maiduguri residents are trapped in battles between Boko Haram and the military, while the elites are busy preparing for the presidential election next month. The clashes with Boko Haram occurred when U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and former general Muhammadu Buhari.
Jonathan and Buhari will compete in the presidential election. “It is absolutely critical that this election can be conducted peacefully. The international community is paying very close attention to this election,” said Kerry.
Jonathan recently visited Maiduguri but was heavily criticized for ignoring Boko Haram’s attacks.
AL JAZEERA | ABC NEWS