At least 18 killed in Boko Haram attack in Nigeria

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At least 18 people were killed and 84 wounded in Boka Haram militants’ clashes with Nigeria soldiers in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, AFP reported.

"So far we have recovered 18 dead bodies from the two villages," Benlo Dambatto, an official from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) told AFP.

"The victims were killed while trying to escape the fight between the insurgents and the military," said Dambatto.

Boko Harm fighters attacked the base in the Cashew Plantation area on the outskirts of the city with suicide bombers, mortars and guns, according to a senior military officer in Maiduguri.

“Eighteen Boko Haram terrorists on foot attacked the military base while seven suicide bombers targeted residents of nearby Bale Shuwar and Alikaranti villages at 8:50 pm (1950 GMT),” said the officer.

It is reported Maiduguri residents hearing at least five explosions and sounds of gunfire coming from the Cashew Plantation area. "Huge blasts and sounds of gunshots were heard all over the city last night and they continued for more than an hour," AFP citing one resident.

It is one of the most brazen attacks in recent months and was a precursor to a planned strike on Maiduguri. It was not immediately clear if the casualties involved only civilians or included the jihadists and soldiers as well. A security source confirmed that dozens of people including women and children were wounded.

The attackers were trying to infiltrate the city, said Ba'Kura Abba Ali, a militia leader in the area helping soldiers in fighting Boko Haram. The assailants climbed up a moat dug around the city to stave off Boko Haram suicide and gun attacks, and attacked troops, Ali said.

Maiduguri is the epicenter of the nine-year conflict with Boko Haram that has killed more than 20,000 people. It is the most significant attack on the city since the government said last week it was in talks with the insurgents with the aim of securing a permanent ceasefire.

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Source(s): AFP