NIGERIA’S MILITARY has imposed a 24-hour curfew in parts of the north-eastern city of Maiduguri as it presses its offensive against militants. A statement named 11 areas of the city where people must remain inside their homes until further notice. Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, has been an important base for Boko Haram Islamist militants. 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. Correspondents say the neighbourhoods listed are considered strongholds of Boko Haram. Witnesses said troops were stopping lorries from entering the city. Nigeria recently launched its biggest offensive against Boko Haram since the group began its insurgency in 2010. Anti-aircraft fire 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”. It was the first time Boko Haram has been reported to have used 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. Kerry said there were “credible allegations” of “gross human rights violations” by the Nigerian military. 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. 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. Agencies
