The Nigerian military said on Monday evening that five of its aircraft were ‘incapacitated’ when suspected Boko Haram members attacked an Airforce base in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The Defence Headquarters in a statement, signed by the Director, Defence Information, Chris Olukolade, said apart from the Air Force Base, the insurgents also attacked some Nigerian Army locations in Maiduguri.
“Three decommissioned military aircrafts as well as two Helicopters were incapacitated in the course of the attack,” the spokesperson said.
some residents had earlier reported that some aircraft were burnt by the insurgents.
“Two Air Force personnel were also wounded while 24 insurgents died during the exchange of fire,” Mr. Olukolade, a brigadier-general, said. He added that security forces are in pursuit of the terrorists.
Soldiers, however, killed 24 of the insurgents in a gun-battle, the defence headquarters said. Several Boko Haram members, residents said about 500, attacked the Airforce Base, the Maiduguri international airport, and some civilian locations in the early hours of Monday. Scores of civilians were feared killed by the insurgents, although the military kept mum on the civilian casualty.
The Borno State government has declared a 24 hour curfew in Maiduguri.
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