Several gunmen, believed to be members of the extremist Boko Haram sect, are reported to be engaging members of the Joint Task Force near the main market, popularly known as Monday market, in Maiduguri metropolis.

The Task Force’s spokesperson, Lt. Col. Hassan Ifijeh, confirmed to Premium Times that the gunmen arrived late afternoon and threw an Improvised Explosive Device and started to shoot sporadically into the air.

The indiscriminate shooting, the army officer said, drew the attention of members of the joint task force near the area and both sides have been engaged in a hot exchange of fire ever since.

Official casualty figure has not been released but sources in Maiduguri said no fewer than four people have been killed so far.