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24 suspected terrorists shot dead in restive Nigerian city

16 October 2012 22:12 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. At least 24 suspected terrorists were shot dead in a repelling attack by the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, located in the restive northeastern region of Nigeria, military authorities said Tuesday, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

Spokesperson of the JTF Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa told reporters here that the suspected terrorists were shot dead in Zannari area of Lagos Street and Gwange general area of the restive city, sequel to an attack perpetrated with the use of rocket propellers, grenades and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

"The terrorists used residential homes in launching the attacks at different times very late on Monday night. They used civilian residences and homes as launching areas for the attacks at different times," he said, adding the city had witnessed multiple blasts for several hours, creating panic among residents.

However, the attacks by the suspected terrorists were all repelled by the JTF and no soldier or civilian was killed, according to the military spokesperson.

A number of weapons were recovered by the JTF after the operation, he added, noting a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tube, a general purpose machine gun, seven AK 47 rifles, a Fabrique Nationale Carabine (FNC) rifle and 24 assorted magazines were among the weapons recovered.

"Others include two pistols, IED materials, bows and arrows as well as cutlasses," said Musa.

Saying normalcy had returned to the city after the incident, the military officer warned residents not to allow their homes to be used as launch pads for attacks on troops and civilians.

Nigeria’s northern part has been plagued by violence in recent years, with frequent reports of shooting and bomb attacks, mostly claimed by the Boko Haram sect.

Hundreds of attacks by the sect have left more than 1,500 people dead since it staged an uprising in the northern city of Maiduguri in 2009, the Human Rights Watch said in its latest report in October.