Military Reports 22 Nigerian Soldiers Killed by Suspected Terrorists

Synopsis

At least 22 soldiers from Nigeria have been killed and numerous others wounded by suspected terrorists in Borno. The military confirmed the attack involved an ambush with improvised explosives. This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region and the broader implications for Africa's stability.

Key Takeaways

22 Nigerian soldiers killed in Borno.
Military confirmed casualties from an ambush.
Improvised explosive devices were used in the attack.
Ongoing security threats in northern Nigeria.
Africa facing severe conflict-related issues.

Abuja, Jan 27 (NationPress) At least 22 Nigerian soldiers have lost their lives and numerous others have been injured by suspected terrorists in a secluded town in the northeastern state of Borno, as reported by the military on Monday.

Edward Buba, the military spokesperson, verified the fatalities in a statement released on Monday, which was obtained by Xinhua in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, without disclosing the specific location or timing of the attack.

The spokesperson mentioned that the suspected terrorists executed a planned ambush and utilized improvised explosive devices, including person-borne and vehicle-borne explosive devices, to impede advancing ground forces during an anti-terror operation.

This recent assault on military personnel came after the military successfully foiled multiple terrorist attempts on their bases in Borno, with the military having previously shot down amateur drones employed by the terrorists in some incidents. Buba noted that at least 70 suspected terrorists, including a brigade commander and a special forces commander from an armed faction in the northeastern region, had been eliminated earlier.

On Sunday, local news sources reported that another senior commander was also among those killed in the attack targeting an army base in Borno, according to Xinhua.

Armed assaults have emerged as a significant security challenge in Nigeria's northern and central regions, leading to fatalities and kidnappings in recent months.

Kenyan President William Ruto, who is advocating for African Union (AU) institutional reforms, stated on Monday that ongoing conflicts are hindering Africa's potential, costing the continent an estimated 18 billion US dollars each year and displacing millions.

Ruto highlighted that Africa currently has 35 million internally displaced persons, 8.9 million refugees, 1.1 million asylum seekers, and one million stateless individuals.

“From April to June 2024, there were 1,000 terrorism incidents reported across Africa, leading to 4,818 fatalities,” he shared during the high-level Extended Bureau Retreat on AU Institutional Reforms held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

The day-long conference convened presidents from Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia, Ghana, and the Comoros, along with Moussa Faki, Chairperson of the AU Commission, to expedite reforms of the 55-member continental organization.

Ruto emphasized that the current configuration of the AU security architecture is inadequate for tackling the continent's intricate dynamics and challenges, necessitating an urgent revitalization of the peace and security framework.

He also remarked that the AU's presence in regional hotspots remains weak, fragmented, and lacking resources.