20 Nigerian soldiers killed in Boko Haram attack in Borno State
The Boko Haram Takfiri terrorist group claims it has killed 20 soldiers and wounded dozens of others during an attack on military positions in northeastern Nigeria.
The casualties occurred during "fierce clashes" on Sunday when the group "stormed a joint position of the armies of Nigeria and Niger" in the town of Ghashghar in northeast Borno State, according to a statement released by the terrorist group.
A community leader in the area confirmed the assault, saying Boko Haram militants fired rocket-propelled grenades at the soldiers who were taken by surprise.
“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 was speaking on condition of anonymity.
"The soldiers suffered huge casualties because they were taken off-guard. They never anticipated such an attack," he added.
Boko Haram started its campaign of militancy in 2009 with the aim of toppling the central government in Nigeria.
The violence sparked by the group’s militancy has so far killed more than 20,000 people and forced over 2.7 million others from their homes.
Many blame corrupt officials in Nigeria’s government and army for the continued militancy, as recent reports say Boko Haram is receiving some of its arms and ammunition from corrupt Nigerian officials.
The militant group has expanded its terror activities to Nigeria’s neighboring countries. Troops from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger have been battling the terrorists in recent months.
The group has pledged allegiance to the Daesh Takfiri terrorists operating mainly in Syria and Iraq.
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