Boko Haram members using the name Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Monday claimed responsibility for the death of 20 soldiers in an attack in the town of Ghashghar in Borno state on Sunday October 16th.
The group, said in a statement that it “stormed a joint position of the armies of Nigeria and Niger” in the town of Ghashghar, killing 20 and leaving many seriously injured.
A community leader in Ghashghar area who confirmed the attack, said soldiers were taken by surprise when Boko Haram militants 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. According to them, Boko Haram launched an attack with heavy guns and rocket-propelled grenades on the soldiers. The attackers came in eight vehicles,” said the leader, who asked to remain anonymous fearing reprisal from the military. The soldiers suffered huge casualties because they were taken off-guard. They never anticipated such an attack,” he said, adding that the jihadists stole six military vehicles and weapons’.
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