Civilians Killed in Intense Gunfight Between ISWAP and Nigerian Troops

Three civilians were killed as they were caught in a cross fire between Nigerian Troops and fighters from the Boko haram faction, the Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP) between Friday evening and early hours of Saturday.

According to reports from the Guardian, Nigerian soldiers intercepted a column of ISWAP Boko fighters on Friday near a military base in northeast Nigeria, triggering a fierce gun battle that lasted for hours in Jakana village, some 30 kilometres from the Borno state capital, Maiduguri.

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The civilians were reported killed by Saturday morning with one soldier severely injured; there was no word on ISWAP casualties.

Jakana town has been a flashpoint in the Boko haram insurgency, with insurgents having raided the village earlier in July, burning down a police station on that occasion.

According to Nigerian Military sources, the latest gunfight lasted upwards of two hours as ISWAP fighters attacked Nigerian troops with rocket propelled grenades and anti-aircraft guns.

“It was an intense fight. Our troops saw them passing near the village and confronted them. The terrorists were obviously heading toward the bush to congregate and launch an attack somewhere. One soldier was injured and three civilians caught up in the fight were killed.”

According to a member of the civilian JTF militia assisting the military with security the insurgents fired at troops with anti-aircraft guns and rocket-propelled grenades.

He also added that the insurgents did not intend to attack but rather fought to defend themselves and escape from Nigerian troops.

Military bases in the North-east have come under as much as 20 attacks by ISWAP elements since July.

Two bases were attacked earlier in the week on Thursday and Friday in Rann and Bama areas of Borno state.

Eight soldiers were also killed in an attack last Saturday in the Yobe village of Buni Gari