Africa-Press. Militants suspected of belonging to the “ISIS – West Africa” group attacked a Nigerian army base in the town of Magumeri in the northeast of the country, resulting in the deaths of at least two soldiers and injuries to the commanding officer, according to security and military sources.
The attack, which occurred in Borno State, is the latest violent incident against forces battling a raging insurgency that has persisted for over a decade in northeastern Nigeria.
A military source told a local news agency that “three soldiers were killed and the commander was seriously injured when the militants stormed the forward operations base in Magumeri amid poor visibility,” adding that “three soldiers were killed in the attack, while the responsible officer sustained severe injuries, and 14 other soldiers were also injured,” noting that about eight militants were killed.
The Nigerian army stated that the “Hadin Kai” operation, which is the military’s counter-insurgency effort in the northeast, “successfully contained” the attack and “neutralized dozens” of ISIS fighters after they attempted to infiltrate the base.
The army reported that some equipment and temporary facilities were damaged due to the fire during the battle, and that the forces recovered anti-aircraft guns, rifles, and ammunition from the fleeing militants.
