Abuja, January 06 (QNA) - At least nine Nigerian soldiers have been killed after their military vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Borno state in the country's north-east, security sources said.
A Nigerian military source told local media that the explosive device was detonated as the soldiers' vehicle slowed on a road in the restive state. The attack has been blamed on fighters from Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), an affiliate of the so-called Islamic State group.
The incident follows a similar attack on Sunday in the Damboa area of Borno, where another improvised explosive device (IED) wounded several soldiers. According to security sources, the attackers opened fire immediately after the blast, a tactic frequently used by militant groups operating in the region.
Borno state has been at the center of a more than decade-long insurgency led initially by Boko Haram, with splinter groups such as ISWAP continuing to carry out deadly attacks on military targets and civilians.
Despite repeated military operations and claims of progress by the authorities, armed groups remain capable of launching ambushes and bomb attacks, particularly along remote roads.
Nigeria's government said it would remain committed to restoring security in the north-east, but the region continues to face significant humanitarian and security challenges. (QNA)