Shootout, Nigerian Military Kills 34 Militants In Borno

UNSPLASH/DON ILLUSTRATION JACKSON-WYATT

JAKARTA - Nigerian military said its forces killed 34 Islamist militants in a shootout in the northeastern state of Borno. Six soldiers were also killed in this fighting.

The clash took place on Saturday last week in Sabon Gari village when militants ambushed troops returning to military bases, military spokesman Major General Edward Buba said.

The militants are members of the Boko Haram group and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), he said. They ride motorbikes and trucks equipped with weapons.

Reported by Reuters on Wednesday, January 8, the troops along with reinforcements from the Civil Joint Task Force militia managed to dispel the attack.

Nigeria has been grappling with a 16-year Islamic insurgency in its northeastern region, primarily triggered by Boko Haram and its ISWAP branch, which has caused heavy losses to humans and the economy, including mass evacuations and humanitarian crises.

Buba said six soldiers were killed in the action while the homemade explosive device (IED) injured the vigilant commander himself.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force also launched airstrikes against fleeing rebels, resulting in casualties other than 34 people who died in the shootout.