Nigeria: 7 Boko Haram terrorists killed in Borno

Seven Boko Haram terrorists were killed when the Nigerian police and army repelled an assault on a convoy of some senior government officials in Borno. The incident occurred along the Monguno-Nganzai road against the officials who were returning from Monguno, after a handover of relief materials to displaced persons.

It is as if the terrorists have been passing messages to each other about attacks across the continent this week. After attacks in Mali, Somalia, Nigeria was also the target of assaults by gunmen, allegedly from the Boko Haram group, who attacked a convoy of some senior government officials in Borno. Had it not been for the prompt intervention of the Nigerian police and army, the worst would have happened.

According to local sources, the incident occurred along the Monguno-Nganzai road when the officials were returning from Monguno, where relief materials were distributed to the internally displaced persons. Among those attacked were Justice Commissioner Kakashehu Lawal; Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement Commissioner Mustapha Gubio; Local Government and Emirates Commissioner Sugun Mai-Mele.

The terrorists, in several motorised vehicles, emerged from the bush and fired sporadically, the Nigerian press reported. The joint escort team of Nigerian soldiers and police engaged the Boko Haram insurgents in a fierce gun battle.

In the fierce 15-minute battle, seven insurgents were shot dead, while another was arrested. However, three soldiers were injured in the clashes and were evacuated to a hospital in Maimalari for treatment after sustaining gunshot wounds.