SHOCKER: Boko Haram raids army barracks, kills 22

No fewer than 20 persons, including a soldier, were killed during an attack in the early hours of yesterday when gunmen believed to be Boko Haram members attacked a military barracks in Monguno village, about 200km from Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

Blueprint gathered that the attack occurred a few hours after the Village Head of Baderi in Marte local government area, Alhaji Lawan Kafu, 65, was killed by the same gunmen on Saturday night.

Baderi is a border village located about 150km from Maiduguri.

A local politician in the area, whose identity must not be revealed for obvious security reasons, said: "They came in five four-wheel drive cars to the palace of the village head, and when he opened his door to receive them, thinking they were his guests, they opened fire on him. One of their vehicles later broke down in Gaduram village as they were heading towards Monguno."

A top security officer who doesn't want to be named confirmed that "a soldier and several of the attackers believed to be Boko Haram members" were killed in an ensuing shootout.

But the spokesman of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Lt Col Sagir Musa, confirmed in an email statement that 20 of the Boko Haram members were killed as soldiers repelled the attack.

He didn't indicate the casualty on the side of soldiers.

His statement reads: "Information available to the Joint Task Force, Operation Restore Order indicated that some Boko Haram terrorists attempted to attack a military barracks at Monguno, Monguno local government area, Borno state, at about 5am today, Sunday 3 March, 2013.

"Monguno is about 200 kilometres from Maiduguri and about 2 hours' drive.

"The attack was repelled by the FOB's and JTF troops at the outskirt of the barracks.

"The encounter led to the death of 20 Boko Haram terrorists, 3 four-wheel vehicles and 8 motor-cycles used by the terrorists were destroyed.

"The following items were also recovered: 7 AK47 rifles; 10 rocket propelled grenades; 2 RPG tubes; large quantity of assorted ammunitions; 8 assorted magazines.

"In a related development, based on intelligence, a special operation was conducted by the JTF which resulted to the arrest of 2 high profile Boko Haram commanders that were responsible for the explosions in Maiduguri on Thursday, 28 February, 2013 during some state governors' meeting in the state. Those arrested are in JTF custody undergoing interrogation."