Military authority on Saturday imposes 24 hours of curfew on Nigeria's northeastern city of Maiduguri following the commencement of offensive against the Boko Haram insurgents in the area.

Spokesman of the military-led Joint Task Force (JTF)Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa in a statement said the curfew was to allow the security forces "sustain its current special operation" targeted the militant sect.

The curfew is with effect from Saturday May 18, 2013, Musa said in the statement.

"The Joint Task Force (JTF) in order to sustain special operations in the face of recent Boko Haram attack in some areas within Maiduguri metropolis is imposing 24 hours curfew is hereby imposed in the following wards and areas: Gamboru,Mairi Kuwait, Bakin Kogi,Kasuwan Shanu,Ruwan Zafi,202 Quarters, Dikwa Quarters, Low-Cost Sinimari, 505 Housing Estate, Chad Basin Area, 303 Housing Estate and Baga road areas," the statement added. "The JTF appeals to the general public to continue to cooperate with the security agencies by providing credible and timely information," the statement said.

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in the northern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

Last month, president Jonathan tried but failed to reach a ceasefire with Boko Haram, which, based in the northeast of Nigeria, declares war against Western education and seeks to enshrine the Islamic sharia law in the Constitution.

It has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks in northern Nigeria, causing thousands of casualties in the past years, including women and children.