Why B’Haram Insurgents Attacked Maiduguri Military Base – Defence Headquarters

DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

DHQ/ABJ/901/32/DDI
14 March 2014

PRESS RELEASE

TERRORISTS ATTEMPT TO FREE DETAINED COLLEAGUES FOILED IN MAIDUGURI

Pockets of terrorists apparently in a move to boost their depleted stock of fighters this morning attacked a military location in Maiduguri with a view to freeing their colleagues who are being held in detention.

The attack has been successfully repelled with heavy human casualty on the terrorists. Some of the victims of the terrorists’ fire in their efforts to break into the detention facility, included those they came to rescue. Many of the terrorists and their weapons have been captured. Four soldiers were wounded and are being treated. Hot pursuits by land and air operations are ongoing along with cordon and search of surrounding localities.

No institution has been reported attacked, although the effect of firing from the encounter could be noticed in surrounding facilities in Maiduguri. Details will be given later.

It is believed that this terrorists attempt is in response to the intensity of attacks on their strongholds in camps at Talala, Monguzum, Sambisa forests, Gwoza, Mandara mountains as well as the general area of Lake Chad. The camps have been destroyed and many insurgents killed.

Chris OLUKOLADE
Major General
Director Defence Information