By Voice of America (Africa) | Created at 2025-01-26 22:06:25 | Updated at 2025-01-27 17:05:16
19 hours ago
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria —
Suspected Islamist fighters killed at least 20 Nigerian soldiers, including a commanding officer, after attacking an army base in a remote town in northeastern Borno state, security sources and residents said Sunday.
Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters have mainly operated in Borno, targeting security forces and civilians, in the process killing and displacing tens of thousands of people.
The latest assault happened Friday, when ISWAP members arrived on gun trucks and attacked the army's 149 Battalion in Malam-Fatori town, gateway to the border with Niger, two soldiers and residents said.
One of the soldiers who survived the attack told Reuters by phone that troops were taken by surprise as the militants "rained bullets everywhere."
"We tried so much to repel the attacks and after more than three hours of gun duel, they overpowered us, killing our commanding officer, a lieutenant colonel," the soldier said, declining to be named because he is not authorized to speak to the media.
He said 20 soldiers died while several were injured.
A Nigerian army spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Residents who left the town said some of the militants were seen in Malam-Fatori as late as Saturday night.
Malakaka Bukar, a member of the local militia recruited to help the army, said the militants also burned buildings, forcing some residents to flee the town.
"They preached to some of the residents," said Bukar.
Although weakened by military assaults and internal fighting over the years, Boko Haram and ISWAP have stepped up attacks in Borno since the turn of the year, killing dozens of farmers and fishermen in series of raids.
