Boko Haram Claims it Killed 20 Soldiers, Steal Military Vehicles

Boko Haram has claimed it killed 20 soldiers in Borno state and wounded dozens of others in a fierce clash on Sunday, October 16.

The group released a statement released on Monday, October 17, using the name Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). ISWAP is a faction of Boko Haram led by Abu Musab al-Barnawi as its leader in August.

The group claimed it “stormed a joint position of the armies of Nigeria and Niger” in the town of Ghashghar in northeast Borno state.

A community leader in the Ghashghar area said the Boko Haram militants took the soldiers by surprise when they fired rocket-propelled grenades.

“I was called by two of my contacts, informing of an attack late yesterday on the joint military personnel from Nigeria and Niger stationed in Asaka village, around 15 kilometres (nine miles) from Ghashghar,” the community leader who pleaded anonymity said.

The leader said he was told that the insurgents who came in eight vehicles launched an attack with heavy guns and rocket-propelled grenades on the soldiers.

He said the insurgents stole six military vehicles and weapons.

“The soldiers suffered huge casualties because they were taken off-guard. They never anticipated such an attack,” he added.

(TBT)