15:T7ae,

Boko Haram terrorists who attacked Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, in the early hours of today have been successfully repelled, Defence Headquarters has confirmed.

“An extensive cordon and search is ongoing as part of the Mopping up operation to determine details of the heavy casualties suffered by the terrorists,” Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, said.

“Meanwhile, scores of the terrorists have died in the course of the attack, while many of them were also captured with wounds,” Olukolade further said in a statement issued in Abuja.

He added: “A Cobra Armoured Vehicle, heavy Artillery guns, as well as some Machine Guns and other weapons were captured from the fleeing terrorists. Three Gulf cars loaded with explosives were also destroyed.”

On the situation in Konduga, also in Borno State, the Defence Spokesman disclosed that troops successfully repelled terrorists’ attacks there twice today.

“Some of the troops however lost their lives in the series of operations to repel the terrorists today,” he said, adding: “Those that were wounded have been evacuated for appropriate medical treatment.

“The 24-hour curfew imposed in the course of the operation is expected to be lifted as soon as mopping operation is concluded. Citizens will be allowed to go about their lawful activities from 6 am tomorrow, Monday, January 26, 2015.

“Meanwhile, an exclusive coordinated air campaign has taken over from ground forces in Monguno, as troops had to retreat from the location after the Brigade Commander and some of the troops were wounded while repelling terrorists attack on the town today.

Calm has been restored in Maiduguri and Konduga as operation continues with patrols and surveillance.”

•Photo shows Nigerian troops on duty in the troubled North-East.

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