LAGOS, Nigeria
More than a dozen soldiers were killed Tuesday in multiple attacks on a military base in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state, local and military sources said.
The terrorists attacked the base in the remote town of Kareto in the Mobbar Local Government Area with improvised explosives and shot at it from different directions.
Heavy shooting was heard from the base as troops engaged Boko Haram terrorists in a gun battle. The sources said the terrorists returned hours later to resume their attack with some civilians also hit by bullets.
The attacks came days after a raid by Boko Haram that led to the deaths of some soldiers.
Borno state’s governor, Babagana Zulum, conveyed his condolences to the military. “I convey our heartfelt condolences to the armed forces and families of the deceased over the demise of our fellow compatriots. May Allah rest their souls and grant fortitude to the affected families,” he said in a statement.
Nigeria has been experiencing 14 years of terrorist attacks which have led to the deaths of more than 100,000 people and the displacement of 3 million, according to the county’s National Emergency Management Agency.
Meanwhile, Nigerian forces neutralized at least 50 Boko Haram terrorists following an ambush in northwest Karina state, an official told Anadolu on Wednesday.
The incident took place on Monday evening as special surveillance forces returned from operational mission of a major hydro-electricity station in Kaduna state.
Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp. spokesman Babawale Afokabi said the special forces comprising 80 officers and personnel were ambushed by the terrorists at Farin-Kasa in Chukun Local Government of Kaduna state.
Afokabi said seven troops went missing during the ambush and search for them is continuing.
