The area is suspected to be the stronghold of the armed group, which has killed several residents, security personnel and traditional rulers.
An undisclosed number of soldiers and three residents were feared killed in the cross fire between men of the Task Force and those of the Boko Haram.
Spokesman of the 21 Armoured Brigade, Lt. Abdullahi Muhammad, who confirmed the clash on Tuesday, was however not categorical on the casualty figures.
The state Deputy Police Commissioner, Usman Baba, also confirmed the murder of police corporal on Tuesday by two suspected Boko Haram gunmen after they ambushed him at a mosque at 7.30 p.m. in Dala Alenderi ward of Maiduguri metropolis.
Parading the suspects before reporters at the police headquarters yesterday, he said: “These four suspects were arrested after giving them a hot chase by the Joint Military/Police Task Force to their hideouts, where a Kalashnikov rifle and the motorcycle used in killing one of our men and officers that lives in Dala Alenderi ward.”
Muhammad said: “Our patrol teams were on a routine surveillance of the various wards in the Maiduguri metropolis at 8 p.m. on Sunday, when a gang of suspected Boko Haram armed sect ambushed us; and a gun battle ensued for over 30 minutes.”
He added that some of the soldiers and residents caught up in the cross fire died on the spot and the injured rushed to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).
Muhammad said the task force had condoned off the stronghold of the group and arrested many people suspected to be Boko Haram members in Budum, Galadima, London Chiki wards of Maiduguri. He added that the Task Force had also identified the red spots where the sect had been launching attacks and killing policemen, soldiers, traditional and religious leaders since July, 2010.
On the death toll in Sunday’s clash, the Army spokesman said: “Yes, the gunmen had actually ambushed a convoy of our patrol vehicles, which resulted in exchange of gunshots. I cannot talk to you about dead soldiers or residents now and the people that sustained injuries, but we have arrested many people who are being investigated. As I am talking to you now, our superiors are in a meeting and we would give you details later.”
When The Guardian visited the Brigade in Maiduguri, 150 people arrested during the raid seen in the premises.
“We are sieving them to ascertain their culpability or otherwise. Those that were not found suspicious would be released. I want to appeal to the people to fully cooperate with us,” Muhammad said.
Meanwhile, residents of the metropolis have expressed dismay over the new security measures introduced by the military, which include the ransacking of houses and arresting the occupants without warrant as well as directing people, including women and the elderly to raise up their hands while searching for arms and ammunition in the sect’s hideouts and strongholds.
“The manner they (JTF) are approaching the issue is unacceptable. How can a male soldier or policeman compel a married woman to remove her hijab on the main road on the pretence that she is being searched?” Halima Musa, 46, a mother of six complained on the alleged harassment of residents in their houses and 35 check points mounted by the military.
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