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50 Nigerian soldiers killed in deadly Boko Haram ambush 50 Nigerian soldiers killed in deadly Boko Haram ambush
(about 4 hours later)
MAIDGURI, Nigeria — Boko Haram extremists killed at least 50 Nigerian soldiers in an ambush near Goneri village in northern Yobe state, according to military officials. MAIDGURI, Nigeria — Boko Haram extremists killed at least 50 soldiers during an ambush in northern Yobe state, one of the deadliest recent attacks on troops in Nigeria, according to military sources.
The attack, one of the deadliest against troops recently, came as the military tried to launch an offensive against the militants that began over the weekend, according to a military official with knowledge of the operation. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak to the press about the matter. The ambush happened as the military tried to launch an offensive against the Boko Haram militants, according to a military official with knowledge of the operation that started over the weekend. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media about the matter.
The troops were able to fight back and escape from the ambush on Saturday, he said. They were at a place called the Gorge and when they advanced they were attacked from the rear. The soldiers initially were able to fight back and escape, the official said. They launched another offensive a day or so later and were then attacked from the rear at a place near the village of Goneri called the Gorge, he said.
Boko Haram militants inflicted heavy casualties by firing on the vehicles with rocket-propelled grenades and guns, he said. Those who survived are being treated at hospitals in Damaturu and Maiduguri. The Boko Haram fighters inflicted heavy casualties by firing on troop vehicles with rocket-propelled grenades and guns, he said. Survivors were being treated at hospitals in Damaturu and Maiduguri.
A senior army officer also confirmed the attack, saying he lost a friend and calling it a huge setback for Nigeria’s army. A senior army officer confirmed the attack, calling it a huge setback for Nigeria’s army and saying he lost a friend.
The military did not respond immediately to requests for confirmation of the attack and death toll. The government also confirmed the attack, but did not give a death toll.
Boko Haram has killed tens of thousands in its 10-year insurgency in northern Nigeria. “The Nigerian military suffered some casualties in the unfortunate attack,” a Nigerian army spokesman, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, said Tuesday.
Boko Haram has killed tens of thousands during its 10-year insurgency in northern Nigeria.
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AP writer Sam Olukoya in Lagos, Nigeria contributed to this report.
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.