Boko Haram Kills 30 Soldiers In Borno Ambush

No fewer than 30 soldiers are feared dead after Boko Haram terrorists ambushed a military base in Zari village in northern Borno state.

According to AFP, the terrorists in large number stormed the base on Thursday evening and engaged the troops in a fierce combat.

Zari is located 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the town of Damasak on the border with Niger.

“They came in large numbers in trucks and carrying heavy weapons and engaged soldiers in a battle that lasted for an hour,” a military officer who pleaded anonymity told AFP.

“We lost at least 30 men,” the officer said, adding that the attack took place at around 4:00 pm.

“They overwhelmed the troops who were forced to temporarily withdraw before reinforcements arrived.”

Another military source, who confirmed the development, said the terror group also suffered huge casualty, as they were pushed out of the base by a fighter jet.

“The terrorists also suffered heavy casualty from the bombardment”, the military officer said.

It was later gathered that the terrorists attacked the base from the nearby Garunda village, where 17 troops were killed and 14 injured in an attack on another military base last month.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army on Friday, confirmed the attack, but failed to reveal any casualty figure.

“Troops…have successfully routed Boko Haram insurgents in an encounter that ensued yesterday evening at Zari village,” the military said in the statement.

The Boko Haram insurgency which is in its ninth year has left 20,000 people dead and displaced 2.6 million.