Boko Haram kills two soldiers in Nigeria attack

Two soldiers have been killed when suspected Boko Haram fighters loyal to factional leader Abubakar Shekau attacked a military base in northeast Nigeria, security sources tell AFP.

The twin gun and suicide attacks happened early Saturday evening at Gulumba village, in the Bama district of Borno state.

The use of human bombs is a hallmark of the Shekau faction, which is known to operate in the area. Last month, Shekau released a video claiming attacks against troops in Gulumba.

“We lost two soldiers and two more were injured in the attack by the Shekau faction,” says one military source.

“The terrorists came in nine gun trucks with a suicide bomber at about 5:50 pm (1650 GMT) and attacked the base.”

A second source says the suicide bomber tried to infiltrate the base but was “neutralized” by troops. He also says two soldiers were killed and two others were injured.

“The terrorists faced stiff resistance and were forced to withdraw,” he adds.

Neither source wanted to be identified as they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Attacks by fighters loyal to Shekau have reduced considerably in recent months, which sources attribute to the firebrand leader’s ill health.

Instead, the IS-backed Boko Haram faction Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has been blamed or claimed responsibility for a wave of attacks against the military since July.

— AFP