Trapped residents report cannon, rockets and submachine-gun fire as militants launch third attack in a week on biggest city in north-east Nigeria

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Islamist militants have attacked Maiduguri, the biggest city in north-east Nigeria, from four fronts overnight, with cannon and rocket fire continuing on Sunday.

The third attack in a week on Maiduguri comes amid unconfirmed reports that a Chadian fighter jet helped bomb the extremists out of Gamboru on Nigeria’s north-east border with Cameroon. Boko Haram insurgents had held the trading centre since August.

Why Maiduguri city is key to Boko Haram's future Read more

On Thursday Chadian forces liberated Malumfatori, another border town that was under the sway of Boko Haram for months.

Map - Nigeria

African leaders authorised the creation of a 7,500-strong force from Nigeria and its four neighbours at a summit on Saturday to confront the growth of Boko Haram. Maiduguri is the birthplace of the extremist movement.

Trapped residents in Maiduguri said they could not sleep for the noise from cannon, rockets and submachine-gun fire that began on Saturday night.

A senior army officer said the militants were everywhere, attacking from all four roads and were within 15km (10 miles) of the city of 2 million. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to give information to reporters.

All exits are blocked and Maiduguri’s international airport has been closed since the insurgents launched an attack in December 2013 and destroyed five aircraft at a neighbouring air force base.

Nigeria’s president, Goodluck Jonathan, declared a state of emergency in May 2013 when he said Boko Haram had taken control of dozens of north-eastern villages and towns.

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Troops quickly drove the insurgents out but since then, ill-equipped and demoralised, they have been losing ground.

In August, Boko Haram declared an Islamic caliphate and now holds about 130 towns and villages, according to Amnesty International.

The extremists have increased the tempo and ferocity of attacks. About 10,000 have died in the past year compared with about 2,000 in the first four years of the uprising, according to the US Council on Foreign Relations.

Jonathan is running for re-election in a tightly contested vote to take place on 14 February. Boko Haram denounces democracy as a corrupt western invention.