20 Boko Haram members killed by Nigeria’s troops

No fewer than 20 militants suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect were killed today in Monguno by Nigerian soldiers, as they attempted an attack on a military base.

A witness and officials confirmed the death toll, according to agency reports.

Military spokesman Lt. Col. Sagir Musa said in a statement all those killed were believed to be fighters from the radical Islamic terrorist network Boko Haram. However, witnesses said at least one of the dead appeared to be a civilian.

Military officials in Nigeria routinely downplay civilian casualties.

The raid on the military barracks “was repelled,” Musa said. “The encounter led to the deaths of 20 Boko Haram terrorists.” He made no mention of military casualties.

Musa said the gunmen, armed with Kalashnikovs and rocket-propelled grenade launchers, had stormed the military site in three 4X4 trucks and eight motorcycles.

Separately, two militants linked to a series of explosions in Maiduguri that injured four people last week have been arrested by the military, he added.

Boko Haram’s insurgency is estimated to have left 3,000 people dead since 2009, including killings by the security forces.

Boko Haram and its splinter groups are waging a bloody guerrilla campaign against Nigeria’s central government.