Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS) insurgents attacked the Askira/Uba Local Government Area yesterday, arriving in their numbers in cars and an armoured tank.

The Nigerian army held off the insurgents in the attack that lasted for four hours, from noon to 4pm.

A source, who asked to remain anonymous told RNI reporter Alkali Mustapha that JAS and the army fired a barrage of shots at each other but no one was killed in the skirmish.

“No life was lost and no shops or properties were burnt down. One of the cars carrying the insurgents was burnt out when the military shot at it from the army jet,” the source said.

“If the military had not been there, the JAS would have conquered the area. There were many insurgents,” he said, adding that the attack was unsuccessful and Askira was back in control.

He said people in the area were grateful for the help given by the military and said they should give the army their maximum support.

“They must also give any important information about the insurgents to the military so that they will continue to protect us,” he said.