Some persons believed to be Boko Haram members on Tuesday evening staged an attack on a convoy of travellers near Molai, a village at the outskirts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Bala Ibrahim, a resident told newsmen that the insurgents invaded the town using cows as shields.
He said immediately they got into the town, they sounds of bomb rented the air and they later opened fire.
Ibrahim said soldiers responded immediately and that the gun battle continued for over 30 minutes.
“As I speak to you, the military and Boko Haram terrorists are still engaging in a gun battle,” he said.
When contacted Musa Sagir, army spokesman, told newsmen that soldiers “effectively repelled” the attack.
“There was an attempt by Boko Haram terrorists to attack Molai community at the outskirt of Maiduguri and troops of Sector 1 fiercely engaged them,” he said.
“The attack was effectively repelled. Troops are in pursuit of the criminals. Further development will be communicated.”
