NIGER: Boko Haram attacks Nigerien soldiers, kills scores

Boko Haram fighters on Sunday attacked a military camp in Dosso, a border community in Niger Republic and killed many Nigerien soldiers.

A security source, who confided in our correspondent on Sunday, said that the Boko Haram members invaded a military camp in Dosso through a riverine community on Sunday morning.

It was learnt that the insurgents stormed the camp from different directions and killed some of the soldiers and injured many.

The source said that the Nigeriens suffered a heavy casualty because the soldiers were caught unawares by the Boko Haram fighters.

The soldiers were said to have relaxed their guard because of the feeling that the Boko Haram members had either been wiped out or weakened.

The source said, “The Boko Haram fighters attacked a military camp in Dosso, a border community in Niger. They came into the camp from several directions.

“The insurgents sneaked into the military camp when the soldiers were relaxed; they were not expecting the attack. I think that explains why several of them were killed.

“We can’t give the exact number but the Government of Niger is calling a national security meeting which means that those killed were many.”

The Ministry of Defence of Niger was reported to have confirmed the unfortunate incident.

“At dawn on April 25, fighters from the terrorist group Boko Haram riding motorised canoes attacked the island of Karamga, a position northwest of the town of Dosso held by our defence and security forces.

“Operations are ongoing with the support of partners to counter the ambition of this terrorist group,” an official statement from the ministry was quoted as saying.

Our correspondent could not get the Defence Headquarters to comment on the issue as the calls to the mobile telephone of the Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, could not connect.

Also, Olukolade had not responded to a text message on the issue as of the time of filing this report.