Nigerian troops battling Boko Haram outside Maiduguri: vigilante

Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) – Several “huge” explosions were heard on Friday as Nigerian troops engaged Boko Haram fighters in a village outside the restive city of Maiduguri, a civilian vigilante said.

“Hordes of Boko Haram gunmen are currently locked in fierce battle with Nigerian troops in Zabarmari village, 10 kilometres (six miles) outside Maiduguri,” vigilante Danlami Ajaokuta told AFP.

“We have been hearing huge explosions coming from Zabarmari since 8:00 pm (1900 GMT) as troops fought to push back Boko Haram gunmen who are trying to invade the city,” he said.