Boko-Haram Rocket Attack Kills 10 In Maiduguri

Militants have killed at least 10 people in Nigeria by using rocket-propelled grenades, which local officials describe as a “new trend”.

Suspected Boko Haram militants fired from the outskirts of the north-eastern city of Maiduguri into densely populated areas, according to Borno state governor Babagana Zulumon.

He said the use of these weapons “has to be stopped”.

It is the worst attack of its kind in Maiduguri in a year.

The militants came through Boboshe village, a known Boko Haram enclave, AFP news agency quotes eyewitness Sama’ila Ibrahim as saying.

They then crossed the ditch fortification around Maiduguri and started shooting sporadically which sent people scrambling for safety, he added.

Explosives began to rain down near the University of Maiduguri at around 18:00 local time on Tuesday, Reuters news agency quotes witnesses as saying.

One of the grenades hit a children’s playground, Mr Zulumon said. It is not clear if any of the children are among the casualties.

The sound of gunfire died down by 19:30 as the military fought the attackers, Reuters reports.