MAIDUGURI-
Suspected Islamic militants are attacking the northern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, with shooting and explosions putting residents to flight.
Children walking to school when shooting erupted are crying in fear and confusion.
Soldiers are engaging the attackers in a shootout near the military barracks in the city that is the birthplace of the Boko Haram terrorist network.
The military cut cell phone service Wednesday using emergency powers in a renewed offensive to suppress the Islamic uprising, so there was no way to contact officials.
Friday’s attack follows military reports of successes they said had extremists on the run.
Twin car bombs on March 2 killed more than 50 people in Maiduguri, a Jan. 14 bomb killed 40 and a Dec. 5 assault on two military bases killed an unknown number.
