Civilians killed in jihadist clash

Nigerian soldiers intercepted a column of Boko Haram fighters on Friday near a military base in northeast Nigeria, triggering a fierce gun battle that killed three civilians.

A soldier was injured in the fight, which happened in Jakana village, some 30km from the Borno state capital, Maiduguri.

In July, jihadists raided the military base in Jakana and burnt down a police station.

“It was an intense fight. Our troops saw them passing near the village and confronted them,” a military officer said on condition of anonymity.

“The terrorists were obviously heading toward the bush to congregate and launch an attack somewhere.

“One soldier was injured and three civilians caught up in the fight were killed.”

A member of a civilian militia assisting the military with security said the jihadists fired at troops with anti-aircraft guns and rocket-propelled grenades.

“The terrorists did not intend to attack, they fought soldiers to defend themselves and escape,” he added.

The fighting underlined the persistent threat to troops in the remote region, which has seen more than 20 attacks on military bases since July.

Two bases were attacked on Thursday and Friday in the Rann and Bama areas of Borno.

Eight soldiers were killed in an attack last Saturday in the Yobe village of Buni Gari.

Most attacks on the military are blamed on, or claimed by, the self-styled Islamic State West Africa Province.