By Rafiu Ajakaye
LAGOS
Nigeria says 14 troops killed in northeastern attack
By Rafiu Ajakaye
LAGOS
Nigerian authorities have confirmed the death of 14 troops in a weekend attack by gunmen on Baga, a border town in the restive northeastern region.
"The situation in Baga is still being studied to determine the appropriate action that will restore law, order and normalcy to the community after the attack mounted by hundreds of heavily armed terrorists last weekend," Defense Spokesman Chris Olukolade said in a statement on Saturday.
"A total of 14 soldiers were killed in action during the attack, while over 30 others wounded," he added, noting that the wounded soldiers were receiving medical treatment.
Olukolade said most of the soldiers who went missing after the attack had also rejoined their unit, revealing that several terrorists were killed during the attack.
Olukolade said, however, that civilian casualties from the attack would be determined later.
The Nigerian military, meanwhile, said that Nigerian troops were capable of tackling the insecurity crisis in the region.
It assured that no portion of Nigeria's territories would be claimed by the terrorists.
"The Nigerian military has not given up on Baga and other localities where terrorist activities are now prevalent," it said in a statement.
"Appropriate plans, men and resources are being mobilized to address the situation," it added.
It said the Nigerian component of the Multinational Joint Task Force – which retreated from its Baga headquarters during the weekend attack – and more troops were regrouping for necessary debrief and briefing for subsequent missions.
"It is necessary to reassure Nigerians that the Nigerian armed forces and security agencies are capable of flushing the terrorists out of Baga," it added.
It said the use of available resources within the armed forces would continue to be maximized to maintain the momentum of the fight against terroris
Twenty people at least were killed and 18 other injured on Saturday in a suicide attack on a popular market in Nigeria's northeastern Maiduguri City.
"Twenty people were killed in the attack, including the female suicide bomber," Police Spokesman Gideon Jubrin said.
"Eighteen other people were injured," he added in a statement.
He noted that fatalities from the attack could rise in the next few hours, given the condition of some of the injured victims.
Rescue workers and local vigilantes are making their presence felt at the site of the attack, according to an AA correspondent.
The attacked market was targeted three times at least in 2014 with casualties being reported after each of these attacks.
