The Joint Task Force (JTF) in Maiduguri claims it killed about 24 sect members of the militant Islamic sect, Boko Haram, following several blasts on Monday night.
According to JTF spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, militants used civilian residences and homes as launch areas for attacks at different times, but no civilians were killed contrary to widespread speculation.
“The JTF wishes to warn residents of the city to stop allowing their homes to be used as launch pads,” Lt. Col. Musa said. “Any person caught will be dealt with, according to the law.”
There has been wide speculation that civilian lives were lost in JTF’s efforts gun battle with the Islamic sect militants. However, JTF has said they only repelled the attack and killed 24 sect members, but no civilians were killed.
“Twenty four suspected terrorists were killed. The following items were recovered: one PRG tube, four RPG charges, one General Purpose Machine Gun, seven AK 47 rifles, one FNC rifle and 24 assorted magazines. Others are two pistols, IED materials, bows and arrows and cutlasses, among others.”
Boko Haram has begun renewed attacks in recent days in Maiduguri with a October 5 bombing leading to the death of an army lieutenant, thereby sparking a violent retaliation by soldiers who opened fire with assault rifles and machine guns mounted on armored personnel carriers on a busy street in Maiduguri.
More than 30 civilians were killed in the attack, according to AP, and more than 50 shops and homes burned, but the military denied it killed civilians, and gave contradictory explanations about what happened.