Twenty four Nigerian soldiers were wounded Monday in an ambush laid by Boko Haram fighters in Kareto, in northern part of Borno state.
The militants struck as the troops were on their way to the border town of Damasak where they wanted to set up a permanent base, a military source said. The army took the area back from Boko Haram last year, but has struggled to hold it.
Although the Nigerian troops, aided by the Air Force, were able to repel the attack, the Boko Haram rebels inflicted a high number of injuries on the Nigerian side.
“The Nigerian troops have successfully repelled an attack by Boko Haram terrorists who attempted an incursion into (the) 113 Battalion,” army spokesman Sani Usman said in a statement carried by PR Nigeria, which releases government statements.
“So far our troops had two officers and 22 soldiers wounded in action,” he said without giving further details. He said All of the wounded have been evacuated to Military Hospital Maiduguri where they are receiving treatment.
Usman said ‘quite a number’ of the Boko Haram terrorists were killed, without giving specifics.
And in a subdued tone, Usman added: Thank you for your kind prayers, support, cooperation and understanding.