President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday summoned an emergency security meeting following an attack by suspected members of Boko Haram sect in some parts of Maiduguri on Monday.
Those in attendance at the meeting were the National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Ola Ibrahim. The others are the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh.
There was no official statement at the end of the meeting held in the office of the President at the State House.
The CDS, who emerged from the meeting at about 3.40 p.m., declined interview with the State House correspondents. On the situation in Maiduguri, he said “it is being managed’’.
The Chief of Air Staff also declined to comments, saying “please ask the CDS, it is only the CDS that can talks for all of us’’.
The Borno government had, early Monday morning, imposed a 24-hour curfew on Maiduguri metropolis.
The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Jidda, announced the decision in a statement released to newsmen in Maiduguri.
The statement said the curfew was imposed in consultation with the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri.
“During the period of curfew, government pleads with all citizens to remain calm.
“Only vehicles on emergency calls and essential services are allowed to move while the curfew will be lifted as soon as situation improves,’’ it added.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced the death of 24 insurgents during an exchange of fire between security forces and suspected terrorists in the pre-dawn attack in Maiduguri.
This information is contained in a statement signed by Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, the Director of Defence Information, in Abuja on Monday.
According to the statement, the Nigerian security forces repelled the attack.The statement said military locations, which included the Nigerian Air Force Base in Maiduguri, were targeted during the attack.
It stated that three decommissioned military aircraft 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,’’ the statement stated.
It added that movements in Maiduguri and environs had been restricted.
It also enjoined citizens to report any of the fleeing insurgents, most of who could be identified with gunshot wounds whenever they were sighted.
The statement also stated that normal flights operation to and from the Maiduguri Airport, which was earlier disrupted temporarily, had resumed.
