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Nigerian soldiers kill 28 militiamen in Borno state

A spokesperson for the Nigerian air force said that the airstrike targeted the hideout of more than 15 Islamist fighters from the militias around the Sambisa Forest in northeastern Borno State.

Nigeria has been battling a 16-year-old islamist insurgency led by Boko Haram, and its offshoot ISWAP. This insurgency has caused mass casualties and displacement, as well as a growing humanitarian crisis.

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame stated that the operation was carried out on 3 September and targeted fighters, commanders and those who were linked to recent terrorist attacks. He said the strike was carried out after intelligence and surveillance confirmed militant activity.

Ejodame stated that the airstrike had destroyed important facilities used by insurgents. He did not mention the group but the Sambisa region is known as a hub for Boko Haram, ISWAP and other insurgent groups.

Nigeria's Air Force says that it has killed at least 592 insurgents armed with guns in Borno in the last eight months following intensive airstrikes.

Separately the army reported that troops had killed 13 Boko Haram militants in Borno after repelling an attack on a convoy of military personnel. The attack took place on Wednesday, as soldiers escorted trucks carrying humanitarian aid along the Gubio to Damasak road.

Insurgents opened fire with two IEDs, but the troops responded by firing back, killing 13 insurgents and forcing many others to flee. In a press release, the army reported that one soldier was injured and two trucks were destroyed in the conflict. (Reporting and writing by Elisha Gbogbo, Alex Richardson's editing)

(source: Reuters)