Fighters from Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) had an hours-long firefight with troops after attacking a base on the outskirts of Geidam, 180 kilometres (112 miles) from the Yobe state capital Damaturu, early Wednesday before laying siege to the town, residents said. A Nigerian army convoy in Borno State, where up to 30 soldiers were killed by Islamists. Photograph: Afolabi Sotunde/ReutersSuspected IS-aligned jihadists have besieged a northeastern Nigerian town for a third day, as troops enforce a round-the-clock curfew that has kept residents indoors, military sources and residents told AFP Friday.Fighters from Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) had an hours-long firefight with troops after attacking a base on the outskirts of Geidam -- 180 kilometres (112 miles) from the Yobe state capital Damaturu -- early Wednesday before laying siege to the town, residents said.Residents told AFP that they could not say if any troops or jihadists were killed in the gunfight."We have been forced to stay indoors since Wednesday by soldiers who warned everyone not to step outside," Abubakar Musa, a resident of Geidam, told AFP by phone.Two military officers, who spoke to AFP anonymously, said the curfew was necessary because ISWAP militants had "surrounded" the town of about 89,000 residents and could launch renewed attacks."The terrorists are lying low outside the town whil...
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