Terrorists in NE Nigeria Kill 11, Others Missing: Security Sources

At least nine Nigerian soldiers and two members of a civil defense militia were killed in a terrorist attack on a civilian convoy in northeast Borno state, security sources told AFP Sunday.

At least nine Nigerian soldiers and two members of a civil defense militia were killed in a terrorist attack on a civilian convoy in northeast Borno state, security sources told AFP Sunday. Several civilians were said to be missing after the ambush.

The terrorists opened fire with heavy guns and rocket-propelled grenades on the convoy of more than a hundred vehicles Saturday afternoon outside Komala village near the town of Damboa, 90 kilometers (55 miles) from the regional capital Maiduguri.

Damboa lies on the fringes of Boko Haram‘s Sambisa forest enclave from where the group launches attacks on villages and against troops.

The convoy was heading from Maiduguri to Damboa when it was attacked, according to militia leader Ibrahim Liman who confirmed the death toll. “The bodies of nine soldiers and two vigilantes were recovered from the attack along with others who sustained injuries,” Liman said.

The terrorists seized several vehicles and looted supplies before withdrawing to their Sambisa enclave, he added. Several civilians were still missing and were presumed killed or abducted by the assailants, the militia leader said.

Boko Haram and its splinter Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are notorious for ambushing military and civilian convoys on highways outside Maiduguri in addition to abducting travelers at bogus checkpoints.