Maiduguri [key], town (1991 est. pop. 282,000), capital of Borno state, NE Nigeria. The city is an important industrial center engaged in food processing and aluminum, steel, asbestos, and cement production. Leather goods made from the hides of crocodiles caught in Lake Chad are a leading product of the town. Peanuts, cotton, and hides and skins produced in the area are exported. The city is a rail, road, and air transportation center serving NE Nigeria and parts of Niger and Chad. Maiduguri was founded near Yerwa in 1907 as a British military post. The city has been the scene of violence by Islamic militants. In July, 2009, some 700 died in fighting in the city between Boko Haram, an extremist sect, and government forces, and since 2010 the group has reemerged and terrorized the city, at times mounting attacks in attempts to seize control of Maiduguri.
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