Most of the troops were
out patrolling nearby villages when the fighters, which the military
described as "terrorists," launched their attack Friday night in Damboa,
according to a defense ministry statement.
The assault was
successfully repelled, the military claimed. Five soldiers and a senior
officer died defending
their posts, while a number of others were
wounded.
The Defense Ministry did not specify who they believe was behind the attack. Local media reports, though, said they belonged to Boko Haram.
If so, it wouldn't be
surprising given the violence that's been blamed on the Islamist
militant group -- especially in the northeastern state of Borno, where
Friday night's attack occurred.
In addition to clashes
with Nigerian troops and killings of citizens, Boko Haram -- which
translates to "Western education is sin" -- has been connected to
bombings of schools, churches and mosques; assassinations of
politicians, religious leaders and others; and the kidnapping of women
and children.
The most glaring example
of the latter was the kidnapping in April of more than 200 girls from a
boarding school in Chibok. The girls are still missing.
Nigeria's defense
ministry said Friday that three women were arrested for allegedly
secretly recruiting members for the female wing of Boko Haram. Col.
Onyema Nwachukwu, director of defense information, claimed the suspects
sought recruits "by enticing them with male suitors who are mainly
members of their terror group, for marriage."
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