Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Nigeria says 70 killed in battle with Islamist group
Source: Reuters
Nigeria says 70 killed in battle with Islamist group
BY CAMILLUS EBOH
ABUJA Tue Dec 24, 2013 5:50am EST
(Reuters) - Nigeria's military said on Tuesday it had killed at least 50 Islamist rebels fleeing towards Cameroon in a battle in which 15 of its own soldiers and five civilians also died.
Nigerian forces have stepped up an offensive in the volatile northeast in the past few days, after Boko Haram fighters armed with grenade launchers and anti-aircraft guns attacked an army barracks in the town of Bama on Friday.
The military often reports significant casualties among insurgents, while rarely admitting losses among its own troops or civilians. The figures it gave for Monday's battle near the Cameroon border could not immediately be verified.
Defence spokesman Brigadier General Chris Olukolade said the military had targeted insurgents behind the Bama attack and that 20 vehicles used in that raid had been spotted from the air and destroyed.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
BY CAMILLUS EBOH
ABUJA Tue Dec 24, 2013 5:50am EST
(Reuters) - Nigeria's military said on Tuesday it had killed at least 50 Islamist rebels fleeing towards Cameroon in a battle in which 15 of its own soldiers and five civilians also died.
Nigerian forces have stepped up an offensive in the volatile northeast in the past few days, after Boko Haram fighters armed with grenade launchers and anti-aircraft guns attacked an army barracks in the town of Bama on Friday.
The military often reports significant casualties among insurgents, while rarely admitting losses among its own troops or civilians. The figures it gave for Monday's battle near the Cameroon border could not immediately be verified.
Defence spokesman Brigadier General Chris Olukolade said the military had targeted insurgents behind the Bama attack and that 20 vehicles used in that raid had been spotted from the air and destroyed.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/24/us-nigeria-violence-idUSBRE9BN07H20131224
Source: Associated Press
Nigerian extremists abduct soldiers' wives, kids
AP foreign, Tuesday December 24 2013
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — Witnesses say Nigeria's military is in hot pursuit of Islamic extremists who abducted soldiers' wives and children when they attacked a barracks in northeast Nigeria.
Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade said security forces have killed at least 50 insurgents in an ongoing operation to catch the attackers. He said 15 soldiers and five civilians died in Friday's attack on a tank battalion in Bama and in the pursuit.
Babagana Bama, a resident of the town, said the extremists took off with many women and children and were strafed by a fighter jet. The attackers set the entire complex ablaze.
Seizing relatives is also practiced by the other side. Nigeria's military routinely detains relatives of suspects, sometimes holding them hostage if a wanted person does not give himself up.
AP foreign, Tuesday December 24 2013
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — Witnesses say Nigeria's military is in hot pursuit of Islamic extremists who abducted soldiers' wives and children when they attacked a barracks in northeast Nigeria.
Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade said security forces have killed at least 50 insurgents in an ongoing operation to catch the attackers. He said 15 soldiers and five civilians died in Friday's attack on a tank battalion in Bama and in the pursuit.
Babagana Bama, a resident of the town, said the extremists took off with many women and children and were strafed by a fighter jet. The attackers set the entire complex ablaze.
Seizing relatives is also practiced by the other side. Nigeria's military routinely detains relatives of suspects, sometimes holding them hostage if a wanted person does not give himself up.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/feedarticle/11122843