Heavy clashes between suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province and troops of the Nigerian Army were reported on the outskirts of Maiduguri late Sunday night.
The confrontation reportedly occurred in areas on the western flank of the city, triggering panic among residents who heard loud explosions and heavy gunfire.
Security analyst Brant Philip disclosed that multiple explosions were heard in the western part of Maiduguri about an hour before he made his report, suggesting an ongoing confrontation between the military and suspected insurgents.
According to him, the explosions raised serious concerns among residents of the city, many of whom feared a possible escalation of insurgent activity close to the state capital.
Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, has long been at the center of Nigeria’s fight against insurgent groups operating in the North-East. Security forces have maintained a strong presence in and around the city to prevent attacks by militants.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had yet to release an official statement on the incident, while residents remained on alert amid fears of further clashes.
