According to the Nigerian army, the military repelled an attack on a base, killing at least 80 insurgents.
At least 80 combatants, including senior leaders, were killed as Nigerian troops, supported by air power, repelled a concerted attack by Islamist rebels on a military installation in the northeastern state of Borno, according to the army on Wednesday.
The attack on Wednesday came after several suicide bombings in Borno’s capital, Maiduguri, on Monday that left over 100 people injured and at least 23 dead. The strikes on the most highly fortified cities in the northeast may indicate that Islamic extremist organisations have changed their strategies to fend off intensive government operations.
According to a statement from military task force spokesperson Sani Uba, rebels advanced on foot, using armed drones in the attack on an army position in Mallam Fatori, close to the border with neighbouring Niger.
Nigeria’s air force executed accurate strikes, while partnered Nigerien jets struck retreating rebels. Uba stated that evaluations of the damage caused by the airstrikes were still in progress and that four soldiers had been injured and transported for medical attention.
After anticipating the onslaught, troops launched what Uba called an “offensive-defensive” response, using air support and ground fire to repel the assault.
According to the military, three “high-profile” rebel leaders were slain. A sizable stockpile of weaponry, including assault rifles, RPG launchers, machine guns, ammo, improvised explosives, and parts for armed drones, was also seized by the troops, according to Uba.
By: Andrews Kwesi Yeboah