32 troops killed in Niger clash with Boko Haram militants
'Hundreds of assailants' attacked a military post at Bosso on Friday evening, says statement
Nigerien soldiers pictured patrolling near the Nigerian border in 2015, when the country was first plagued by Boko Haram attacks in its southeast region. PHOTO: AFP
NIAMEY:
Thirty-two troops have been killed in a clash with Boko Haram militants on Niger's border with Nigeria, Niger's defence ministry said on Saturday.
"Hundreds of assailants" attacked a military post at Bosso on Friday evening, it said in a statement that gave a "provisional toll" of 30 Nigerien and two Nigerian soldiers killed and 67 wounded.
"On the enemy's side, several dead and injured were taken away," the ministry said.
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"Our defence and security forces carried out a counter-attack this morning which enabled them to retake all positions in the town of Bosso.
Civil society organizations march to show solidarity after soldiers from Niger and Nigeria were killed in a Boko Haram attack, in Niamey, Niger, June 4, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS
"The situation is under control and calm has returned."
Since February 2015, Niger has been plagued by Boko Haram attacks in its southeast region.
Nigeria says lost $15 bn in military procurement fraud
The Islamists frequently stage cross-border raids from their stronghold in neighbouring Nigeria.
The insurgency has left at least 20,000 people dead in Nigeria and made more than 2.6 million homeless.
Thirty-two troops have been killed in a clash with Boko Haram militants on Niger's border with Nigeria, Niger's defence ministry said on Saturday.
"Hundreds of assailants" attacked a military post at Bosso on Friday evening, it said in a statement that gave a "provisional toll" of 30 Nigerien and two Nigerian soldiers killed and 67 wounded.
"On the enemy's side, several dead and injured were taken away," the ministry said.
Just return stolen assets, Nigeria's Buhari tells UK PM
"Our defence and security forces carried out a counter-attack this morning which enabled them to retake all positions in the town of Bosso.
Civil society organizations march to show solidarity after soldiers from Niger and Nigeria were killed in a Boko Haram attack, in Niamey, Niger, June 4, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS
"The situation is under control and calm has returned."
Since February 2015, Niger has been plagued by Boko Haram attacks in its southeast region.
Nigeria says lost $15 bn in military procurement fraud
The Islamists frequently stage cross-border raids from their stronghold in neighbouring Nigeria.
The insurgency has left at least 20,000 people dead in Nigeria and made more than 2.6 million homeless.