15 soldiers killed in takfiri attack on governor’s convoy in eastern Nigeria

SANAA, Sept. 26 (YPA) – At least fifteen security personnel were killed on Friday in an attack by Daesh (ISIS) takfiris on a convoy of a state governor in northeastern Nigeria.

Eight members, three soldiers and four members of a pro-government militia were killed in an attack on the convoy of Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, AFP reported, citing security sources.

The convoy was heading to Baga town ahead of government’s planned return of internally displaced persons from Maiduguri when the incident happened.

A military coalition of Nigerian, Niger, Chadian and Cameroonian forces said the rebels opened fire as the convoy passed through a village near the Multinational Joint Task Force headquarters in Baga.

“The governor was unharmed, but 15 security personnel in the convoy were killed in a fierce battle with the terrorists,” one source said.

The governor was conducting an inspection tour in Baga in preparation for the return of thousands of people displaced in 2014 to escape takfiri attacks.

E.M