Niger loses 32 soldiers in fight with Boko Haram

 

                        Boko Haram

Thirty-two Nigerien soldiers have been killed in a clash with Boko Haram fighters on Niger’s border with Nigeria, Niger’s defence ministry said yesterday.

It is one of the deadliest tolls inflicted by the jihadists.

“Hundreds of assailants” reportedly attacked a military post in Bosso town on Friday evening, the defence ministry said in a statement that gave a “provisional toll” of 30 Nigerien and two Nigerian soldiers killed and 67 wounded.

“On the enemy’s side, several dead and injured were taken away,” the ministry said.

“Boko Haram elements effectively took control of the town temporarily, but now they were dislodged,” a security source said.

Local resident and former MP Elhaj Aboubacar said: “They drove up at twilight, shouting Allahu Akbar (God is Great), they fired a lot of shots and torched many places in Bosso.”

“We don’t know where our military went, but one thing is for sure, Boko Haram were able to do what they liked until dawn,” Aboubacar said.

“The situation is under control and calm has returned,” the defence ministry said, adding that a “mopping up” operation was underway by land and air.

Since February 2015, Niger has been plagued by Boko Haram attacks in its southeast region.

The Islamists frequently stage cross-border raids from their stronghold in Nigeria.