northern Yobe state, one of the deadliest recent attacks on troops in
Nigeria, according to military sources.
The ambush happened as the military tried to launch an offensive against
the Boko Haram militants, according to a military official with
knowledge of the operation that started over the weekend. The official
spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak
to the media about the matter.
The soldiers initially were able to fight back and escape, the official
said. They launched another offensive a day or so later and were then
attacked from the rear at a place near the village of Goneri called the
Gorge, he said.
The Boko Haram fighters inflicted heavy casualties by firing on troop
vehicles with rocket-propelled grenades and guns, he said. Survivors
were being treated at hospitals in Damaturu and Maiduguri.
A senior army officer confirmed the attack, calling it a huge setback
for Nigeria’s army and saying he lost a friend.
The government also confirmed the attack, but did not give a death toll.
“The Nigerian military suffered some casualties in the unfortunate
attack,” a Nigerian army spokesman, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, said
Tuesday.
Boko Haram has killed tens of thousands during its 10-year insurgency in
northern Nigeria.