Nigerian army repel fresh Boko Haram attacks
KANO, Nigeria: Soldiers have fought off attempts by Boko Haram fighters to overrun two army bases in northeast Nigeria, security sources told AFP Friday, in the latest attacks to hit the region.
Jihadists attacked a forward operation base in the town of Bama, some 70 kilometres southeast of the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, at about 3.45am Friday.
“The terrorists were in many vehicles ... and engaged soldiers in a battle which lasted until 7.05am,” said one military source, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“The terrorists were repelled and the base was secured. No casualty has so far been recorded.”
A second military source confirmed the account and said reinforcements were sent from a battalion stationed in Bama itself.
The attack came after Boko Haram fighters attacked a military base in the town of Rann, in northern Borno near the border with Cameroon, at about 9.30pm on Thursday.
“The terrorists came in four gun trucks and several motorcycles and attacked the base of 3 Battalion in Rann,” the first source said in an account supported by local civilian militia.
“It was a heavy fight that lasted for an hour before the terrorists were pushed out with aerial support.”
The officer said the Islamist militants set fire to some homes as well as a Unicef clinic in the town as they withdrew.
There were no casualties, he added.
Bama and Rann have been repeatedly attacked in the nineyear military conflict, which has killed more than 27,000 people, left nearly two million people homeless and devastated northeast Nigeria.
The Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram has been blamed or claimed responsibility for more than 20 attacks on military bases since mid- July, killing scores of troops.
The attacks have raised questions over the government’s claim to have virtually defeated Boko Haram and prompted the army to reorganise senior commanders. — AFP