Monday Reuben

 

Many Nigerian soldiers were feared killed as gunmen suspected to be members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist group attacked two different Army bases in Borno State.

 

According to AFP, the attack carried out on Friday and Saturday at Army base and a town in North-East Nigeria left nine soldiers, two policemen and civilians killed quoting security sources and residents.

 

The report said the suspected ISWAP members riding in trucks fitted with machine guns, launched the attacks in Malam Fatori, in Abadam district, late Friday and early Saturday.

 

“ISWAP terrorists attacked Malam Fatori and caused huge destruction which we are working to quantify,” a military officer told AFP.

 

“They attacked the military base and engaged troops in a fight while a second group went on a killing spree and arson in the town,” said the officer who asked not to be named.

 

The first attack, near the Niger Republic border, came at dusk Friday, leading to a fierce battle with soldiers who repelled the assault, said resident Buji Garwa.

 

In a pre-dawn attack on the base and the town on Saturday, the jihadists threw explosives and killed residents, while others drowned in a river trying to escape the attack.

 

Two security sources said on Sunday that nine soldiers and two policemen were killed in the Army base attack.

 

“The number of casualties sustained in the base is 11, including nine soldiers and two mobile policemen working alongside troops,” a military officer said.