This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22581831
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
Nigeria army imposes curfew in Maiduguri | Nigeria army imposes curfew in Maiduguri |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Nigeria's military has imposed a 24-hour curfew in parts of the north-eastern city of Maiduguri as its offensive against militants continues. | Nigeria's military has imposed a 24-hour curfew in parts of the north-eastern city of Maiduguri as its offensive against militants continues. |
Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, has been an important base for Boko Haram Islamist militants. | Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, has been an important base for Boko Haram Islamist militants. |
A statement named 11 areas of the city which would now be under permanent curfew. | |
Also on Saturday, the military said 65 "terrorists" had been arrested as they tried to infiltrate Maiduguri. | Also on Saturday, the military said 65 "terrorists" had been arrested as they tried to infiltrate Maiduguri. |
It said those arrested had been "fleeing from various camps now under attack". However, there has been no independent confirmation of the claim. | It said those arrested had been "fleeing from various camps now under attack". However, there has been no independent confirmation of the claim. |
A state of emergency is currently in force in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states. | A state of emergency is currently in force in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states. |
"In order to sustain special operations in the face of recent Boko Haram attacks, [a] 24-hour curfew is hereby imposed in the following wards," a military statement said. | "In order to sustain special operations in the face of recent Boko Haram attacks, [a] 24-hour curfew is hereby imposed in the following wards," a military statement said. |
Correspondents say the neighbourhoods listed are considered strongholds of Boko Haram. The whole of Maiduguri was already subject to an overnight curfew. | |
Witnesses said troops were stopping lorries from entering the city. | Witnesses said troops were stopping lorries from entering the city. |
The army said 10 suspected insurgents were killed in clashes with troops in Maiduguri on Friday and weapons were seized including rocket-propelled grenade launchers. | The army said 10 suspected insurgents were killed in clashes with troops in Maiduguri on Friday and weapons were seized including rocket-propelled grenade launchers. |
Anti-aircraft fire | Anti-aircraft fire |
Nigeria recently launched its biggest offensive against Boko Haram since the group began its insurgency in 2010. | Nigeria recently launched its biggest offensive against Boko Haram since the group began its insurgency in 2010. |
Nigerian war planes and helicopter gunships attacked several militant training camps in the north-east on Friday, officials said. | Nigerian war planes and helicopter gunships attacked several militant training camps in the north-east on Friday, officials said. |
One plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire but officials said it had returned to base safely while the "terrorist base" was "completely destroyed". | One plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire but officials said it had returned to base safely while the "terrorist base" was "completely destroyed". |
It was the first report of Boko Haram using anti-aircraft weapons. | |
Also on Friday, US Secretary of State John Kerry urged the Nigerian army to show restraint and not violate human rights as it pursues the militants. | Also on Friday, US Secretary of State John Kerry urged the Nigerian army to show restraint and not violate human rights as it pursues the militants. |
Mr Kerry said there were "credible allegations" of "gross human rights violations" by the Nigerian military. | Mr Kerry said there were "credible allegations" of "gross human rights violations" by the Nigerian military. |
Last November, Amnesty International accused Nigeria's security forces of carrying out widespread abuses in their campaign against Boko Haram, including extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture. | Last November, Amnesty International accused Nigeria's security forces of carrying out widespread abuses in their campaign against Boko Haram, including extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture. |
The BBC has also received reports of civilians fleeing remote areas in Borno State and arriving in towns on the border with Cameroon. | The BBC has also received reports of civilians fleeing remote areas in Borno State and arriving in towns on the border with Cameroon. |
More than 2,000 people have died in violence in Nigeria since 2010, most of which is blamed on Boko Haram. | More than 2,000 people have died in violence in Nigeria since 2010, most of which is blamed on Boko Haram. |
The group, whose name means "Western education is forbidden", says its quest is to overthrow the Nigerian government and create an Islamic state. | The group, whose name means "Western education is forbidden", says its quest is to overthrow the Nigerian government and create an Islamic state. |
There has been growing concern that Boko Haram is receiving backing from al-Qaeda-linked militants in other countries. | There has been growing concern that Boko Haram is receiving backing from al-Qaeda-linked militants in other countries. |
The current military campaign comes after Boko Haram last month rejected the prospect of an amnesty suggested by President Goodluck Jonathan. | The current military campaign comes after Boko Haram last month rejected the prospect of an amnesty suggested by President Goodluck Jonathan. |