Seven soldiers died and 16 were wounded “in action” the army said, but military and civilian militia sources put the death toll higher.
“We lost 18 men in the fight which lasted for seven hours,” a military officer told AFP, speaking from the Borno state capital of Maiduguri.
“Our men fought hard and dealt heavy blows on the terrorists. However, they were overwhelmed by the enemy who overran the base,” said the officer who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak on the incident.
By Tuesday 18 bodies of soldiers were brought to the garrison town of Monguno, 120km from the attacked base, a civilian militia assisting the military in fighting the jihadists reported.
-AFP
