By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria 

Six civilians were killed and three soldiers injured in a Monday attack on a military escort by Boko Haram militants in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state, according to an army spokesman.

Sani Usman said “suspected elements of the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists” ambushed the soldiers protecting commercial vehicles travelling from Damboa to Maiduguri.

“Unfortunately, five civilians lost their lives in the incident and another died on the way to the hospital. Three soldiers also sustained injuries,” Usman added, saying troops were on the trail of the terrorists.

The military said two civilians were also killed on Sunday by Boko Haram fighters in Kwamjilari, a village over 30 kilometers (19 miles) away from Chibok -- the town where over 200 schoolgirls were abducted by the terror group in 2014.

“The people from the said village are all in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Chibok,” according to the army spokesman.