Nigeria’s military has confirmed the deaths of six soldiers and thirty four extremist rebels in northeastern Borno state after rebels launched a surprise attack on troops earlier within the week.
Reports indicate that Borno has been the center of extremist violence in Nigeria since the Boko Haram extremist group launched an insurgency in 2009 to enforce their interpretation of Shariah law. The insurgency, which has spilled over to Nigeria’s three neighbours in the Lake Chad region, has killed more than 35,000 people and displaced 2.6 million others.
Nigerian military spokesperson Edward Buba in a recent statement disclosed that the shooting triggered a resistance which led to a few deaths during the crossfires.
The latest attack occurred Sunday in Sabon Gari village in the Damboa council area, a hot spot that has been mostly deserted by residents. “The terrorists had attempted to surprise troops and retaliate against the recent killing of their commander and combatants by troops,” Buba said.
The latest attack by the rebels against the military is described as a setback for the Nigerian military, which often claims the rebels have been “degraded.” Despite such claims, deadly ambushes and suicide bombings have continued in the last year.
