Suspected members of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents have set some houses on fire in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.
According to Daily Trust, there are sounds of gunshots and explosions in different parts of the city, especially around Jiddari Polo area.
It was gathered that there is a gun battle between troops and suspected insurgents around Molai and Jiddari in the state capital.
“At least 3 loud explosions were heard in Maiduguri. Heavy shooting ongoing now, civilian are fleeing their homes running toward Damboa and old GRA,” a source said.
Meanwhile, a faction of the Boko Haram terrorist group loyal to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has distributed Ramadan welfare packages to some residents of Borno and Yobe States.
It is understood that the insurgents distributed food items including rice, beans, millet, maize, sugar, spaghetti as well as cash gifts to the residents.
The insurgents claim the gesture is to help the residents observe the Ramadan fast with ease.
However, a security source noted that the welfare package might be part of a grand plan by the terrorists to lure new members into their organization.
“Imagine, they (insurgents) claimed that the gesture was aimed at assisting villagers to perform Ramadan fast and Sallah with ease and happiness, the same villagers they killed their friends and family members,” the source said.