Terrorists suspected to be members of Boko Haram, the Islamist sect, struck terror in the heart of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital early today, killing residents and setting fire to several houses.
The brazen attack and killings happened on Sule Street, along Morgaram Road, in Borno State’s capital.
In the early morning attack, three stores including a warehouse belonging to Mr. Samuel Ejide were burnt down by the Boko Haram terrorists.
Other people were burnt including one Salisu Abubakar and Musa Jimoh.
Eyewitnesses report that the gunmen arrived in the early hours of the day, opening fire indiscriminately before dousing homes with petrol and setting them ablaze.
It is not certain the total number of casualties as security forces have cordoned off the area.
However, residents fear multiple deaths and injuries amid the chaos.
The Joint Task Force (JTF) has been deployed to the scene, with soldiers patrolling the streets to restore order. No group has claimed responsibility, but the method mirrors previous assaults blamed on Boko Haram.
This latest incident adds to the escalating violence in the North East especially in Borno and Yobe States, and in the North Central States of Kaduna, Plateau and Niger where the sect has waged a campaign against security forces and civilians.
The Islamist sect’s terrorists have killed hundreds of thousands of people in the past decade.
Also, thousands of men of the Nigerian Military have lost their lives in the battle against the terrorists.