The military said that seven policemen were killed while twelve others injured in a fresh attack on a villager in Niger by the members of the deadly Boko Haram sect.
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B oko Haram militants rampaged through Kuda, a village in Adamawa state, on Thursday, setting homes ablaze and shooting at random.
“They stormed our village on motorbikes and immediately opened fire on the people observing the wake”, said a witness who insisted on anonymity, citing security concerns.
Police spokesman Othman Abubakar said Friday the number of dead could rise. “Insurgents killed 18 people before attacking several houses where they looted and carted away foodstuff”, the source said.
Kuda is close to the Sambisa Forest, a vast colonial-era game reserve where Boko Haram militants hide in secluded camps to avoid the Nigerian military.
Though most villages in the north east have been recaptured by the Nigerian troop, Boko Haram still regularly stages guerrilla attacks.
Damaturu – Troops have rescued more than 40 civilians and arrested a Boko Haram during operations in Borno and Yobe States respectively.
Niger’s defense minister, Hassoumi Messaoudou, urged on regional leaders to “rethink Boko Haram” and called on regional forces to defeat the group in Nigeria.
Recent attacks in southeastern Niger bordering Nigeria killed more than 20 soldiers and displaced tens of thousands, worsening an already dire humanitarian situation in the region.
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Meanwhile, the police spokesperson said a wanted Boko Haram commander in Gombi local government of the state had been arrested.
