Twenty-five troopers had been killed and almost 1,000 individuals left homeless in a militant assault on a city in northeastern Nigeria, the federal government stated in a press release. Six different troopers had been additionally wounded.
The militants entered Monguno in Borno state posing as a convoy of troopers on Tuesday night, the sources stated. They then attacked troops contained in the city, destroying no less than 750 houses within the course of.
Resident Gumati Sadu stated individuals fled into the bush for security in the course of the combating and that three civilians had been killed by stray bullets.
A navy spokesperson declined to remark.
Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed duty for the assault on its Amaq information company.
It stated that one among its militants detonated a automotive bomb within the city, killing no less than eight troopers and destroying three armoured autos.
The group additionally stated it had seized a automobile, weapons and ammunition earlier than leaving the city.
The assault comes after Chadian troops who’re a part of the Multinational Joint Activity Pressure withdrew from Borno some days in the past. There are worries that extra assaults will likely be carried out towards key targets within the state.
On Saturday, six troopers had been killed in an assault by Boko Haram close to Jakana, a city 45 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, based on Maj. Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi. He referred to as for the evacuation of Jakana and one other village, Mainok.
Nigeria’s President Muhammad Buhari had on Tuesday informed residents to not panic over the withdrawal of the Chadian troops.
The navy has not but formally commented on the troopers’ deaths within the newest assault on Monguno.
ISWAP break up from Islamist group Boko Haram in 2016 and has since staged its personal frequent assaults within the area.
Boko Haram’s decade-long insurgency marketing campaign has killed 1000’s and displaced thousands and thousands in northeastern Nigeria.
1000’s in Monguno had already been displaced from their houses elsewhere in Borno state by militants. Support group Medecins Sans Frontieres warned final 12 months that many 1000’s in Monguno lacked correct shelter, water, sanitation and meals.
