Jonathan's Team trapped as Boko Haram attacks Maidugri

Members of the presidential advance team
that accompanied President Goodluck
Jonathan to Saturday's presidential campaign
rally in Maiduguri, Borno State, have been
trapped in the Borno State capital, following an
attack launched on the town by Boko Haram
terrorists.
They were scheduled to leave Maiduguri after
the rally on Saturday, but had been advised to
stay back for their safety by the military
authorities.The advanced team is made up of
security personnel, other staff attached to the
president and the media.
It was learnt that the armed forces were
battling the insurgents while members of the
advanced team had taken refuge at the offices
of the Department of State Services (DSS)
within the state capital, over which a curfew
had already been imposed.The team was still
holed up as serious fighting raged between the
military and the terrorists on Sunday
afternoon.
However, the situation was said to have been
brought under control at the time of this
report, with the military fully in control of the
city.
They were said to have extended their search
for remnants of the terrorists to the
surrounding villages, with a view to clearing
them away and creating security cordon for
the team to leave the town.
One of those trapped said on telephone from
Maiduguri on Sunday that "they (military) said
they have to comb the bushes to get rid of the
insurgents and they said they might not finish
today, meaning that we cannot leave today
(Sunday).
"Those trapped in the president's team
are members of the media, medical and
security personnel. The protocol team
took risk and left on their own. That was
before the terrorists started advancing.
"We wanted to join them but we were
warned by the security guys. The protocol
believed it was riskier to join convoy
because it would have attracted the
attention of the Boko Haram. We are now
regretting we didn't follow them."
Meanwhile, the Nigerian military, on Sunday,
launched both air and land attacks on Boko
Haram sect members in Maiduguri and
Mongunu, Borno State, in an attempt to repel
the insurgents, who tried to overrun the
towns.
It was gathered that the Boko Haram sect
made attempts to overrun Maiduguri, the
state capital, on Sunday, but the Nigerian
military was quick to repel the attacks.
Meanwhile, curfew has been imposed on
Maiduguri with immediate effect, till further
notice, as Nigerian troops continue to repel
attacks by terrorists around Maiduguri and
Mongunu.
According to a statement issued by PRNigeria,
calm had been restored in Maiduguri and
Konduga, as operations continued with patrols
and surveillance.
The curfew on Maiduguri is expected to be
relaxed as soon as mopping operation is
concluded.
Source:Nigerian Tribune