At least eight soldiers were killed in heavy fighting when Boko Haram raided a military camp and looted food from villagers in North East Nigeria, a military source disclosed on Thursday.
The attack in Sasawa village, some 45 kilometres (28 miles) from the Yobe state capital, Damaturu, happened at about 5:00 pm on Tuesday.
Why it matters: It was the third Boko Haram attack on the military in the remote region in the last two weeks, after a relative lull during the rainy season, which ended last month.
The spokesman for 3 Division Nigerian Army in Damaturu, Colonel Kayode Ogunsanya, on Wednesday confirmed the attack, saying only that there were “casualties on both sides”.
But a military commander in the city said the death toll had risen.
“So far we lost eight men in the Boko Haram terrorist attack on the 233 Battalion in Sasawa village: seven soldiers and the field officer,” he told AFP on condition of anonymity.
“Their bodies have been recovered. But many others are still missing. It is not clear whether they are dead or alive.”
A local chief in the Sasawa area said the jihadists arrived in six pickup trucks and stormed the military encampment, triggering a gunfight that lasted for six hours.
“When the gunmen realised they would be subdued, they sent for reinforcements and more fighters arrived in three trucks,” he said, asking to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals.
They overran the base, forcing the soldiers to withdraw. Rebel fighters then moved into the village, which had been deserted by residents to escape the fighting.
Another local resident, Aisami Gremah, supported the chief’s account.
He added: “They (Boko Haram) loaded grains from the recent harvest into the pick-up trucks and moved towards Kareto and Magumeri in neighbouring Borno state.”
Omoleye Omoruyi… an apprentice web/game developer, novelist, sensitive to happenings in the world. Meet him @Lord_rickie on Twitter/Instagram
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