Boko Haram Launches New Assault on Maiduguri

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria—Islamic extremists have attacked the biggest city in northeast Nigeria, Maiduguri, for the third time in a week from four fronts, witnesses said.

The attack comes as Nigeria’s neighbors are forming a multinational force to confront extremist group Boko Haram’s uprising.

Trapped residents said they couldn’t sleep for the crescendo from booming cannon, whooshing rockets and the staccato of submachine gunfire.

A senior army officer who requested anonymity said the militants were “everywhere,” attacking from all four main roads leading into the city of 2 million and were within 15 kilometers (10 miles).

Maiduguri’s international airport has been closed since the insurgents launched a major attack in December 2013 and destroyed five aircraft at a neighboring air-force base.

The city is the birthplace of the extremist movement.