News / Nigeria

Nigerian soldier killed on presidential election day

Saturday, 23 February 2019 7:11 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 23 February 2019 7:16 PM ]

The undated photo shows militants in Nigeria.

One soldier was killed and 20 others wounded in a militant attack in northeastern Nigeria, hours before the presidential election on Saturday.

Local sources reported they heard gunfire and more than a dozen blasts throughout Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno state, at dawn, hours before voting booths opened.

"Boko Haram terrorists attempted to enter the city but were intercepted," a security source said, adding, "One soldier was killed and 20 were injured."

According to the security source, there were other explosions at Maimalari barracks but there was no casualty.

"They resorted to firing RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades) on the city," the source reported.

Contrary to what the source said, the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group claimed the attacks. Its so-called West Africa Province said the attack targeted Maiduguri airport, a Nigerian army base and a government building. The Nigerian army, however, has denied any attacks took place and said the sounds were of military exercises.