At least nine Nigerian soldiers have been killed while several others were injured after their convoy struck a landmine and came under attack in Borno state.
The incident occurred on Sunday near Bindundul village, about 20 kilometres from Kareto, an area known for the activities of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters.
A military source from the Damasak brigade said the area is frequently used by militants who set up illegal checkpoints.
Abba Kaka Tuja, a member of the civilian joint task force involved in the rescue operation, said the soldiers were targeted with an improvised explosive device.
“The terrorists planted a mine that our soldiers stepped on. Unfortunately, about nine soldiers died instantly, while five others were seriously injured,” he said.
Tuja said an armoured vehicle was destroyed when the mine detonated, after which the convoy came under sporadic gunfire from the attackers.
He said the soldiers were travelling from Maiduguri to Damasak, the headquarters of Mobbar local government area, when the attack occurred at about 1600 GMT.
Military authorities were yet to respond to requests for comment as of the time of filing this report.
Nigeria’s north-east has witnessed intensified attacks by ISWAP and Boko Haram fighters in recent months, with military convoys and civilians increasingly targeted.
