ABUJA
Nigerian authorities confirmed on Wednesday that 25 security agents were killed when Boko Haram militants attacked a military post in Buni Yadi town of northeastern Yobe state on Monday.
"I wish to confirm to you that there was a massive attack on Buni Yadi town in Yobe State where some gallant soldiers and policemen lost their lives," army spokesman Chris Olukolade told a news briefing in capital Abuja.
"The casualty stands at 12 soldiers and 13 policemen as revealed by initial investigation into the incident," he added.
Security and local sources told Anadolu Agency on Tuesday that 25 security agents were killed in the attack on the military post.
"Fourteen soldiers and 11 policemen were killed because the focus seems to be the security post where they caught the operatives by surprise," Idrissa Manu, a local resident, told AA Tuesday.
Buni Yadi - the town where 50 college boys were massacred early this year - is in Gujba local government area of Yobe, one of the three states still under emergency rule.
Boko Haram, which means "Western education is forbidden" in Nigeria's local Hausa language, first emerged in the early 2000s preaching against government misrule and corruption.
The group later became violent, however, after the death of its leader in 2009 while in police custody.
In the five years since, the shadowy sect has been blamed for numerous attacks – on places of worship and government institutions – and thousands of deaths.
By Rafiu Ajakaye
www.aa.com.tr/en
