Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Nigerian military repels Boko Haram attack in Borno

Boko Haram militants have overrun a string of towns in the area in recent weeks

Isaac Abrak,Felix Onuah
Saturday 13 September 2014 01:16 BST
Comments
People shout slogans and hold a banner during a demonstration in Abuja, Nigeria. The girls kidnapped by Boko Haram are still missing
People shout slogans and hold a banner during a demonstration in Abuja, Nigeria. The girls kidnapped by Boko Haram are still missing (AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Nigeria’s military beat back an attack by Islamist insurgents outside the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, today and sent in reinforcements to prevent another assault, the government said.

Authorities were struggling to reassure locals that the armed forces would defend them against the Boko Haram militants, who have overrun a string of towns in the area in recent weeks. Residents said they heard gunfire coming from the direction of Konduga, 20 miles south-east of the city, and later saw army troop carriers heading there.

“The attackers were repelled,” government spokesman Mike Omeri said. He added government forces were also in control of Bama, a nearby town which saw fierce fighting last week.

A Nigerian military source, who asked not to be named, said the militants had arrived in a convoy of pickup trucks and motorbikes but suffered "dozens" of casualties when the army confronted them. No independent confirmation of the fighting or casualties was immediately available.

"Some people came from Konduga ... they told us the army are in control," Musa Sumail, a human rights activist in Maiduguri, told Reuters.

Omeri said Nigerian government forces were also in control of Bama, a town some 20 miles further down the road from Konduga which saw fierce fighting last week. Reinforcements were being sent up to Konduga and surrounding areas, he added.

REUTERS

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in