Gunmen Attack Nigerian Air Force Base in Maiduguri

Suspected Boko Haram rebels launched a massive attack on the Nigerian Air Force base in Borno state Monday, killing many people, while forcing the government to clamp a 24-hour curfew, police source said.

The attack occurred early in the day when insurgents invaded the restive city of Maiduguri and launched coordinated strikes on the 79 Composite Group of the Nigerian Air Force, 33 Artillery Battalion and a trailer park along Maiduguri-Kano road, Xinhua reported citing the source.

He said scores of people, including military personnel, may have died in the attack, described as bloody by an army source.

Colonel Muhammad Dole, a military spokesperson, confirmed the attack but claimed it was repelled.

"In the early hours of Monday, Boko Haram terrorists attempted to gain access to own locations (Own locations according to Dole mean military formations) in the metropolis. However, troops of the 7 division of the Nigerian Army have successfully repelled the insurgents and inflicted serious casualties on them."

"The situation around Njamtilo and Maiduguri International Airport general areas are calm and under control," he added.

Meanwhile a press release from the Ministry of Defence states that Boko Harram only managed to destroy 3 decommissioned military jets and some helicopter's in the attack

Read press release below:

ABUJADHQ/ABJ/901/32/DDI 2 December 2013 PRESS RELEASE DARING TERRORISTS ATTACK MILITARY LOCATIONS IN MAIDUGURI

Nigerian security forces today repelled a pre-dawn attack on Maiduguri by suspected terrorists. 

Military locations such as Nigerian Air Force Base and some Nigerian Army locations in Maiduguri were targeted during the attack.  Three decommissioned military aircrafts as well as two Helicopters were incapacitated in the course of the attack.  Two Air Force personnel were also wounded while 24 insurgents died during the exchange of fire. 

Security forces are in pursuit of the terrorists in the Djemtillo general area along the Maiduguri/Banishek axis. 

Movements in Maiduguri and environs have been restricted. Citizens are enjoined to report any of the fleeing insurgents, most of whom could be identified with gunshot wounds whenever they are sighted. 

Normal flights operations to and from the Maiduguri Airport which were earlier temporarily disrupted has resumed.      

Signed
Brigadier General Chris Olukolade,
Director Defence Information