At least 10 dead in latest Nigerian north-eastern town jihadist attack
Jihadists burned down a UN office and prompted thousands to flee across the border into Niger, local officials and the UN said on Thursday, as reported by AFP news agency.
CAPE TOWN, April 15 (ANA) – At least 10 people were killed on Wednesday when jihadists attacked a northeast Nigerian town.
Jihadists burned down a UN office and prompted thousands to flee across the border into Niger, local officials and the UN said on Thursday, as reported by AFP news agency.
According to reports, fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) stormed Damasak in Borno state on Wednesday, the third assault on the town in a week.
The dire security crisis in Nigeria has seen a rise in insurgence attacks as the West African country’s security forces grapple for nearly a decade to keep peace in the region.
According to a Thursday statement issued by the Nigerian Army, it said that reports that Boko Haram terrorists have overrun and are in control of Damasak town is blatant misinformation.
The statement went on to say: “there was an attack by the terrorists sometime yesterday (Wednesday) but they were effectively repelled by our own troops.”
“The Nigerian Army wishes to assure residents of Damasak and adjoining communities to remain calm as mop operations by the troops are ongoing to flush out the remnant of the terrorists who attacked a section of the town,” concluded the statement.
According to local media reports, the UN refugee agency said eight people were killed and another 12 wounded, with preliminary reports showing 8,000 fleeing residents had reached the Niger towns of Chetimari and Gagamari.
Furthermore, the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies says Nigeria faces an array of security challenges beyond Boko Haram and distinguishing these threats and understanding their socio-geographic contours is essential for adapting customised solutions.
African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Naomi Mackay