Nigeria Soldiers, Boko Haram clash in Buratai, Army Chief's village

Boko Haram gunmen launched a dawn raid
today, Saturday, Dec. 19th, on the hometown of
Nigeria Army Chief, triggering a fierce gunbattle
with troops, residents of a nearby village to
which people fled the clashes said.
There was no immediate report of casualties in
the fighting in Buratai in Borno State, the home
village of Tukur Yusuf Buratai, Nigeria's top
Army Officer.
Abubakar Umar, a resident of the nearby hamlet
of Miringa, told AFP that the fighting began at
5:00am,after Boko Haram insurgents attacked
the village.
''At one point we could hear explosions coming
from the direction of Buratai.'' He said.
Troops reinforcements from a military base in
the town of Biu, 30 kilometres from Buratai,
were seen passing through Miringa.
''Nine trucks conveying soldiers and another
four carrying local hunters drove through our
village towards Buratai and from what we hear
more are on their way.'' Said Shitu Ayuba,
another resident.
Some Buratai residents had fled to Miringa,
where they took shelter in a primary school,
locals said.
Buratai and nearby villages have been repeatedly
targeted in deadly raids by the Islamist
insurgents since June, when the Army Chief
assumed office.
Residents believe the attacks are in response to
recent military gains against the jihadists under
the army chief.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has
given the Military a December 31 deadline to
crush the jihadist uprising that has killed some
17,000 and displaced around 2.6 million people
since 2009.