JUST IN: Several Soldiers and Boko Haram Militants Die in Clash at Fatori

Several Boko Haram militants and soldiers of the Joint Multinational Task Force (MNJTF) have been reportedly killed in a clash at Mallam Fatori in Borno state on Tuesday, September 21.

Associated Press quotes the Boko Haram militants as saying on its social media platforms that it killed 40 MNJT troops but the claims could not be verified.

“The Islamic State’s West Africa Province annihilated “a convoy of the African Coalition Crusader forces” in the town of Malam Fatori, the SITE Intelligence Group reported, translating an IS communique posted on social media.

There was no way to independently verify the claim and no word from Nigeria’s military late Tuesday night,” AP wrote. On its part, the Nigerian Army confirmed the clash in a short early morning statement by its public relations officer, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman on Wednesday, September 21.

The statement admitted that the Boko Haram militants gave the troops a very tough fight but many of them were killed during the clash.

It also hinted that the military had to withdraw deeper into Nigerian territory to regain advantage in the very tough fighting. “As part of Operation GAMA AIKI, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE and Multinational Joint Task Force captured Mallam Fatori in northernmost part of Borno State after a fierce battle closely covered by air operations.