By Ahmed Kingimi
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) -Islamist insurgents launched simultaneous attacks in four districts of Northeastern Nigeria using armed drones and heavy firepower, and torched a military barracks before being repelled by troops, a Nigerian army spokesperson said on Thursday.
Jihadists carried out the attacks between midnight and 0300 GMT on three troop positions in Borno State and another in neighbouring Yobe State.
“Some troops were wounded in action but are in stable condition. Vehicles and buildings were gutted by fire from the terrorists’ armed drones and RPG (rocket propelled grenades) fire, especially in Mafa and Dikwa where the defences were momentarily breached,” said Sani Uba, spokesperson for the Nigerian military’s counterinsurgency operation.
Nigerian troops killed 50 of the attackers and recovered ammunition, he added.
Nigeria has grappled for over 15 years with the insurgency, which has led to the death of tens of thousands and displaced more than 2 million people, humanitarian aid groups say.
Two security sources said the insurgents had tried to cut off reinforcements to troops but were forced to retreat after the military brought in fighter jets.
Four soldiers were killed and five wounded this month during an insurgent attack in Borno.
Insurgents have launched at least 333 attacks in Northeast Nigeria this year, compared to 375 in 2024, data compiled by conflict monitoring group ACLED showed.
The insurgency is part of widespread insecurity that continues to plague Africa’s most populous country, which is also dealing with attacks by armed gangs in the Northwest and deadly farmer-herder clashes in the central belt.
(Reporting by Ahmed Kingimi, writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe, Editing by Ed Osmond)
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