According to Niger’s defence ministry, Thirty-two troops have been killed in a clash with Boko Haram jihadists on Niger’s border with Nigeria.
Hundreds of assailants” attacked a military post at Bosso on Friday evening, it said in a statement that gave a “provisional toll” of 30 Nigerien and two Nigerian soldiers killed and 67 wounded; VANGUARD reports.
“On the enemy’s side, several dead and injured were taken away. Our defence and security forces carried out a counter-attack this morning which enabled them to retake all positions in the town of Bosso. “=The situation is under control and calm has returned.”
Meanwhile, t
he defence headquarters (DHQ) says Boko Harm is plotting to carry out large scale bombings during Ramadan.
This year’s Ramadan will commence next week.
In a statement on Saturday, Rabe Abubakar, spokesman of the DHQ, advised citizens to be vigilant and to report suspicious persons or objects to security agencies.
“Information available to this headquarters indicated plans by terrorists to use the Ramadan periods which usually attracts gathering of large number of persons during morning and evening worships and prayers to carryout large scale bombings,” he said.
“Against this background, the defence headquarters (DHQ) wishes to once again advice the general public to be watchful of strange persons and objects in their localities particularly, around places of worships and to promptly report same to security agencies.
“It is further to advice that adequate security and surveillance be evolved by respective places of worship to forestall any unwholesome acts by some unscrupulous elements.
“The DHQ wishes to reassure law abiding citizens to go about their normal businesses while efforts are being made to eliminate the remnants of the terrorists from their hideouts as well as addressing other security challenges in the country.”
