Nigeria's Boko Haram launches offensive on Maiduguri

(AGI) Maiduguri (Nigeria), Feb 1 - Boko Haram militants havelaunched a new offensive to take over Maiduguri, the strategiccapital of Borno State, in northeastern Nigeria. Localresidents have witnessed the attack and reported loudexplosions and gunfire coming from the southern gate to theurban centre. Fighting is reportedly concentrated in the Mulaidistrict. "The whole city is in a state of panic and people areafraid that Boko Haram might defeat the security forces", saidseveral eye-witnesses. The take-over of Maiduguri wouldrepresent a very important strategic and symbolic victory forthe Islamic jihadists. At the moment Boko Haram alreadycontrols most of the regions along the borders with Cameroonand Chad, a territory the size of Belgium. (AGI) . .