President Jonathan escaped Boko Haram Bombing , as Maiduguri, Konduga and Mongun freed from Boko Haram by Army

 President Goodluck Jonathan’s convoy com­prising media and medical teams were trapped in Maiduguri, the state capital Saturday, reports www.odogwublog.com  . They were trapped but they used road to Bauchi.

 The Maiduguri Airport is not yet open to commercial flights. The presidential convoy had to travel for 10 hours to Maduguri from Bauchi.
This is coming as the military yesterday routed members of the Boko Haram militants, who attacked Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State as well as two other towns – Konduga Monguno.
In the ensuing gun battle, many insurgents were killed and wounded. Some other insurgents were captured as well as their weapons. Also, some soldiers were killed. A brigade com­mander was among the injured.
In a statement yesterday, Director of Defence Information, Major- General Chris Olukolade, stated that the military successfully repelled the insurgents in Maiduguri and had started a search operation in the capital city.
“Terrorists who attacked Mai­duguri in the early hours of today (yesterday) have been successfully repelled. An extensive cordon and search is ongoing as part of the mopping up operation to determine details of the heavy casualties suf­fered by the terrorists,” he said.
On the casualties, Olukolade stated that scores of the terrorists were killed in the firefight, while many others were wounded and captured.
Recovered from the insurgents, according to the defence spokesman are: “A Cobra Armoured Vehicle, heavy artillery guns, as well as some machine guns and other weapons. Three Golf cars loaded with explo­sives were also destroyed.”
On the gun battle at Konduga, Olukolade stated: “Similarly, troops in Konduga successfully repelled ter­rorists’ attacks twice today, Sunday. Some of the troops, however, lost their lives in the series of operations to repel the terrorists today. Those that were wounded have been evacu­ated for appropriate medical treat­ment.”
Among those wounded in the mili­tary, he stated, were a Brigade Com­mander and others, revealing that air strikes on the insurgents’ locations were ongoing.
“An exclusive coordinated air campaign has taken over from ground forces in Monguno, as troops had to retreat from the location after the Brigade Commander and some of the troops were wounded while re­pelling terrorists’ attack on the town today (yesterday).
He said that 24 hours curfew im­posed during the operation would be lifted “as soon as mop-up operation is concluded,” while saying: “Citi­zens will be allowed to go about their lawful activities from 6 am tomor­row, Monday, January 26, 2015.”
Olukolade also stated: “Calm has been restored in Maiduguri and Konduga as operation continues with patrols and surveillance.”
The President’s convoy had ar­rived Maiduguri last Friday after being escorted for about 10 hours by about 10 heavily armed soldiers from Bauchi. The convoy was billed to return to Abuja on Saturday, after the PDP campaign rally, which took place at Ramat Square, It could not leave following advice of the Joint Task Force.
According to the source, the con­voy of the President remains a major target of the insurgents, who are bent on attacking the team in order to embarrass the Presidency.
Meanwhile, the President’s advance team to Maiduguri, for the presidential campaign that held on Saturday was trapped. The delega­tion may be taking refuge in Maidu­guri, following the attack on the city by Boko Haram.
Those trapped are the media, se­curity and medical units. One of the trapped persons told Daily Sun that both the military and Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) were able to repel the insurgents that had attempted to take over control of Maiduguri and several other parts of the state.
The source, when contacted at about 11.40 a.m, said: “We are hid­ing in Maiduguri because serious fighting was going on between the insurgents and security personnel. Security men are battling to repel the insurgents.”
When contacted again at about 2:14p.m, he said Maiduguri has come under full control of security personnel but they were still working on the roads and villages.
“They say they have to comb the bushes to get rid of the insurgents and they said they might not finish today. Meaning that we cannot leave today (yesterday)”.
“The Protocol team took a risk and left on their own, that was before the terrorists started advancing. We wanted to join them, but we were warned by the security guys. The Protocol vehicle believed it’s riskier to join the convoy because it will attract the attention of Boko Haram. We are now regretting why we didn’t follow them,” he said.
The source spoke again at 2.54pm, he said, “Maiduguri just came under some calm now, so we were able to get food in a nearby bus park. We are still in the neighbourhood of the security agency anyway.
“The security people said they have chased the insurgents out of town. They also attacked Konduga which has now been reclaimed with heavy casualties on the part of Boko Haram”.