Boko Haram members

Nigerian Army has confirmed  that no fewer than 13 soldiers were on Monday injured, while some are still missing in action after an attack by Boko Haram terrorists at Gashigar, Borno, an official has said.

Col. Sani Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, via a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, said the incident happened at Gashigar, a border area of   Northern Borno with Niger Republic.

“Yesterday (Monday) at about 5.30 p.m. suspected escaping remnants of Boko Haram terrorists attacked troops location at Gashigar, border area with Niger Republic, Northern Borno .

“The troops did their best to defend the location. In the process, 13 soldiers’ sustained injuries while some are still missing in action.

“The temporary setback made the troops to withdraw from the location.

“However, the wounded soldiers have been evacuated and receiving treatment, while efforts are ongoing in search of those missing and clear the Boko Haram terrorists at the general area,” said.

Boko Haram, using the name Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) had in a statement on Monday claimed it killed 20 soldiers when it militants “stormed a joint position of the armies of Nigeria and Niger” in  Ghashghar  town, according to AFP.

The new agency quoted the militant group as saying it killed 20 soldiers and wounded dozens of others in “fierce clashes” that erupted during the attack on Sunday,

AFP also quoted a  community leader in the Ghashghar area who confirmed the raid. According to him, the soldiers were taken by surprise when Boko Haram militants fired rocket-propelled grenades.

“I was called by two of my contacts … informing of an attack late yesterday on the joint military personnel from Nigeria and Niger stationed in Asaka village, around 15 kilometres (nine miles) from Ghashghar,” a community leader from the area said.

“According to them, Boko Haram launched an attack with heavy guns and rocket-propelled grenades on the soldiers. The attackers came in eight vehicles,” AFP quoted the anonymous source.

“The soldiers suffered huge casualties because they were taken off-guard. They never anticipated such an attack,” he said.

He added that  the jihadists stole six military vehicles and weapons.

With AFP report