Again, blasts, shooting spree in Maiduguri

Written by James Bwala, Maiduguri Sunday, 05 August 2012

Residents of Gwange, Kaleri and Budum areas have confirmed that there was explosions and shootings Saturday between members of Boko Haram and the Joint Task Force, Operation Retore Order, in Borno, leading to raid in some homes by members of the JTF.
According to Mallam Usman Audu, explosions started at about 11:45 p.m. on Friday, a development that caused some people to flee their homes.
“It was a blast and it was followed by sporadic gun shots here in Gwange area. It went on till the late hours and today, the explosions continued in Kalari and Budum neighbourhoods,” he told Sunday Tribune on telephone.
Audu said soldiers moved from house to house arresting people, forcing residents to flee their homes for fear of arrest as the soldiers did not give anyone opportunity for any explanation.
“They did not come to our area, but a lot of people from the streets after ours were said to have been arrested by soldiers,” he added.
Also, a resident of Budum told Sunday Tribune that “there was fighting between JTF men and some gunmen. It appears there were casualties on both sides, but I don’t know how many people were involved,” he said.
According to him, there were intermittent sounds of gunshots throughout Friday in all the areas. He added that as of Saturday morning, operatives of the JTF had blocked some ways, including the one leading to Gamboru Market.
“Many motorists coming to town from 505 Housing Estate were forced to turn back along the Customs Bridge around 6.00 a.m.,” a resident of 505 Housing Estate said.
When contacted, spokesman of the JTF, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa, said he was not in town, but would give details when he returns from his trip.
Sunday Tribune gathered that Musa just lost his younger brother, Alhaji Bishir Batsari, in an auto crash.

SOURCE: Sunday Tribune, 5 August 2012. http://tribune.com.ng/sun/