At least 65 Nigerian soldiers killed in jihadist raids in north-east

At least 65 Nigerian soldiers have been killed in jihadist raids across the country’s north-east in the last two weeks. On 5 and 6 March gunmen from Islamic State West Africa Province overran four military bases in Borno state, and the Punch reported that about 40 soldiers were killed in those attacks.

The military disputed the death toll in a statement on 7 March, the same day a mass funeral was held for the fallen troops, but did not provide an alternative number. On 8 and 9 March the army said troops "successfully defeated multiple coordinated attacks" launched by ISWAP terrorists on military locations in Delwa, Goniri, Kukawa and Mainok.

Armed Conflict Location & Event Data said about 300 people, including women and children, were abducted and that gunmen used sophisticated machinery including anti-aircraft machine guns and drones during the raids.

Nigeria, Borno state

nigeria, borno state, iswap, islamic state, soldiers killed, jihadist raids, military bases, abductions, anti-aircraft, drones