In Nigeria, two Army sources say on Sunday that at least 27 soldiers were killed in a jihadist suicide attack in the country’s northeast. INQUIRER STOCK PHOTO
KANO, Nigeria — At least 27 Nigerian soldiers were killed in a jihadist suicide attack in the northeast, two Army sources told Agence France-Presse on Sunday.
On Friday, troops launched a ground offensive on a stronghold of Islamic State-affiliated militants in a wasteland straddling Borno and Yobe states.
Article continues after this advertisement“The suicide attack killed 27 soldiers, including the commander, and left several others seriously injured,” a military officer said, making this one of the deadliest suicide attacks targeting soldiers in recent years.
FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION Brazil slams US after dozens of deportees arrive handcuffed GLOBALNATION Trump suggests US releasing 2,000-pound bombs to Israel GLOBALNATION PH sees no hard impact of US global aid freeze“It was dark, which made it difficult for the troops to have a clear view of the surroundings,” said another officer about the attack that happened around 2030 GMT.
READ: Bomb attack in north Nigeria kills 19
Article continues after this advertisementThe military officer said the death toll could rise as some of the wounded were in “critical condition.”
Article continues after this advertisementA suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden vehicle concealed in thick foliage into a convoy of advancing troops targeting the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Timbuktu Triangle, the two military officers said.
Article continues after this advertisementBoth officers asked not to be identified as they were not authorized to speak on the incident.
bso88 slotNigerian military officials were not available for comment on the attack.
In a stock exchange filing on Thursday, October 17, the Ayala-led bank said its net income expanded by 24.3 percent to P48 billion.
Article continues after this advertisementISWAP split from the mainstream Boko Haram in 2016 to become the dominant militant faction in the northeast.
READ: 18 killed in multiple Nigeria suicide attacks, says emergency services
They seized territory hitherto under Boko Haram control, including the Timbuktu Triangle and Sambisa forest, a game reserve turned jihadist stronghold.
The group is notorious for planting roadside mines and rigging vehicles with explosives to target troops.
In July last year, seven troops were killed when their vehicle hit a landmine in a village where ISWAP is active.
The 15-year-old conflict has killed 40,000 and displaced around two million from their homes in the northeast.
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The violence spilled into neighboring Nigervoslot, Chad, and Cameroon, leading to the creation of a regional force to fight the militants.
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