Several extremists, suspected of being members of the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS), were killed in an attack on the Jiddari Polo area of Maiduguri on the evening of Tuesday, May 11.

The exact number of fatalities and security force casualties could not be confirmed. Houses and other property were said to have been burnt down by the extremists.

There were reports of a similar attack on the afternoon of May 12, but this could not be verified.

The JAS, commonly known as Boko Haram, apparently attacked Muslim civilians who were observing religious rites on Tuesday, preparing to celebrate Eid which began on the evening of Thursday, May 13.

A Muslim resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said that a large number of people had gathered for prayers when the attack started.

“There was a crowd of people who had gathered. Although we knew there was a threat that the insurgents might attack us, we did not want to miss prayers. We had to prepare for Eid al-Fitr [on Thursday, May13].”

Another Maiduguri resident said on Wednesday that the attack had “really scared” him.

“I’m too scared to attend prayers today [Wednesday] because it feels as if I will be risking my life. When the attack started on Tuesday I ran for my life. My legs are still swollen and sore from running so hard,” he said.

Hundreds of people who had gathered for prayers fled to safer areas when the attack started on Tuesday, he said.

He was told the insurgents had burnt down at least on house.

Several children had gone missing but they were found on Wednesday, he said.

On Monday, May 10, Maiduguri residents heard gun shots and the sound of bombs exploding at about 3am. They heard later that the JAS had attacked the Ngom community of Mafa Local Government Area.

In an effort to keep peace in Maiduguri at the start of Eid, the government imposed a curfew on Thursday to stop movement in the city.