Residents of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital were, on Saturday morning, thrown into panic following heavy firing heard in different locations in the capital early today.
Scores of residents around 1000 housing estate and those along Maiduguri-Damaturu road are fleeing their homes as heavy sound like multiple bomb explosions heard in the area between 6:18am and 6:35am.
A miiltary jet was also seen hovering around the city, fueling fears among residents. Two military sources said the heavy sounds were from a “simulation” exercise to keep off Boko Haram elements who might be at the outskirts attempting to cause any violence.
There was no public information from the military earlier regarding such exercise. Spokesman of Operation Lafiya Dole, Col Ado Isa neither pick nor return calls to him to confirm the development as preparations for voting get underway.