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General News of Thursday, 9 July 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Islamist fighters reportedly ambush, kill 23 Nigerian soldiers

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At least 23 Nigerian soldiers were reportedly ambushed and killed by Islamist fighters in an ambush in the restive northeast of the country, security sources said Wednesday.

The ambush was carried out on Tuesday by jihadists linked to the Islamic State group some 40 kilometres (25 miles) outside regional capital Maiduguri.

“Yesterday a military convoy was ambushed by terrorists at Bulabulin (village) along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road,” the first source said.

“Twenty-three soldiers were killed, two wounded and an unconfirmed number missing in action,” a source said.

The second source said the convoy was on its way back to Maiduguri when it came under fire.

“The troops were returning from patrol and clearance operation against the terrorists when they were attacked,” the source said.

“The troops were able to repel the attack with reinforcements but they suffered casualties. At least 23 troops died.”

He said the search for missing soldiers was ongoing.

Both sources were talking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to talk to the media.

The Nigerian military confirmed the ambush but said in a statement that only two soldiers were killed and four wounded.

It said 17 insurgents were killed in the subsequent fighting.

AFP