Army confirms attack on base, says soldiers are missing

Dimeji Akinloye | 03:33 | 19.10.2016

Following the attack, troops have been temporarily withdrawn from Gashigar, a border area with Niger Republic.

Nigerian Army Nigerian Army (REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde)

The Nigerian Army has confirmed that its base in Gashigar, Borno state was attacked by Boko Haram. Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman said in a statement on Tuesday, October 18 that the terrorists overpowered the soldiers, killing 13 of them.

He said some soldiers are still missing following the attack which occurred on Monday, October 17.

"In the process, 13 soldiers sustained injuries while some are still missing in action," Usman said.

According to him, the attack has necessitated troops to temporarily withdraw from Ganshigar, a border area with Niger Republic.

ALSO READ: Troops kill 16 terrorists in counter-attack, weapons recovered

He added that soldiers injured in the attack have been evacuated and are being treated, as efforts have been intensified to find the missing soldiers.

However, Boko Haram had on Monday claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming it killed 20 soldiers.

The group, using the name Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), said in a statement that it "stormed a joint position of the armies of Nigeria and Niger" in the town of Ghashghar.

This is coming less than a week after the sect released 21 out of the over 200 Chibok schoolgirls it abducted in April 2014.