5 Beninese soldiers killed in bomb trap set by Jihadists

Five Beninese soldiers were killed by suspected Islamist militants in the northern Pendjari National Park, two military sources said on Tuesday.

The attack on Monday also wounded several soldiers who are being treated at a nearby hospital, said the sources, who requested anonymity.

The soldiers were killed when an army convoy struck an improvised explosive device, they said.

It was the latest in a string of deadly attacks in northern Benin, where groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State have spilled over from neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.

Benin’s army has not officially spoken on the incident and its spokesman did not respond to requests for comment.