22 Nigerian soldiers killed in insurgents’ counteroffensive

A counterattack by insurgents in Nigeria’s northeast has claimed the lives of at least 22 soldiers and left several others injured, the military confirmed on Sunday. The attackers used improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and suicide bombers to repel the army’s ongoing offensive, according to military spokesperson Edward Buba.

The Nigerian military launched its assault 10 days ago, targeting insurgent strongholds. The campaign reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 70 militants, including three key commanders. Insurgents’ use of drones was thwarted, with several being shot down by government forces.

Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have predominantly operated in Borno state. Their attacks on security forces and civilians have contributed to a 16-year insurgency that has devastated the region, displacing and killing tens of thousands.

On Friday, suspected Islamist militants struck an army base in a remote Borno town, killing at least 20 soldiers, including a commanding officer, according to security sources and local residents.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, continues to grapple with multifaceted security challenges. These include the Islamist insurgency in the northeast, rampant banditry and kidnappings in the northwest, and separatist and gang-related violence in the southeast.

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