lagos four civilians kill attack suspect boko haram militants monday nigerian city center conflict islamists resident two officials tell reuters nigeria army say monday even repel assault outskirts maiduguri spiritual birthplace boko haram first major attack northeast city since june army statement make mention casualties musa alkali resident attack area molai tell reuters tuesday saw four corpses boko haram fight way molai burn three house military fighter jet arrive say three people burn house saw four dead body take area say alkali say fourth person shoot two people local vigilante group commander military officer also tell reuters tuesday four civilians die speak condition anonymity tell speak media fear reprisal military say none troop lose live say attackers come truck mount gun suicide bombers retreat set fire house vehicles three nigerian military spokesmen immediately respond call texts whatsapp message seek comment fourteen people kill attack maiduguri june group strike eve visit vice president yemi osinbajo government often say alert boko haram attack christmas period festivals christians muslims insurgency past target place worship church mosques time embassies regularly warn nationals cautious avoid public space time president muhammadu buhari administration say boko haram almost defeat late attack show group continue ability stage hit-and-run raid prompt renew government push militants nigerian government approve release billion last week state oil fund help fight nigeria long-term plan corral civilians inside fortify garrison towns move effectively cede rural areas boko haram nigeria replace previous military commander fight boko haram half year post military source tell reuters follow series embarrass attack militants four kill suspect boko haram nigeria attack monday source