Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state witnessed a fierce clash between soldiers and Islamic extremists, resulting in the deaths of at least six soldiers and 34 extremists, according to the military. The attack, which occurred on Sunday in Sabon Gari village, was launched by rebels riding motorcycles and gun trucks, who were resisted by troops and engaged in a gun battle.
Borno has been at the epicentre of extremist violence in Nigeria since 2009, when the Boko Haram group launched an insurgency to enforce their interpretation of Shariah law. The conflict has spilled over to neighbouring countries in the Lake Chad region, claiming over 35,000 lives and displacing 2.6 million people.
The latest attack is seen as a setback for the Nigerian military, which has struggled to contain the insurgency despite claims that the rebels have been “degraded.” Security analyst Senator Iroegbu attributes the challenges to a lack of political will and the extremists’ ability to operate freely across borders. He also notes that the military has struggled to obtain accurate and timely intelligence on Boko Haram’s movements and plans.
Boko Haram gained international notoriety in 2014 after abducting 276 schoolgirls from Chibok village in Borno. Dozens of the girls remain missing.
Reuters and Africa News
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