Boko Haram attack in Niger kills 32

Thirty-two troops have been killed in a clash with Boko Haram jihadists on Niger's border with Nigeria, Niger's defence ministry said yesterday.

"Hundreds of assailants" attacked a military post at Bosso on Friday evening, it said in a statement that gave a "provisional toll" of 30 Nigerien and two Nigerian soldiers killed and 67 wounded.

“On the enemy's side, several dead and injured were taken away," the ministry said. "Our defence and security forces carried out a counter-attack this morning which enabled them to retake all positions in the town of Bosso. "The situation is under control and calm has returned." Since February 2015, Niger has been plagued by Boko Haram attacks in its southeast region.

Meanwhile, Nigerian troops killed 19 Boko Haram militants during clashes in northeast Borno state, while two soldiers suffered gunshot wounds, the army said yesterday.

Acting upon an intelligence report on the presence of Boko Haram fighters in the militants' Chukungudu camp, troops and civilian JTF (joint task force) members, launched the attack on Friday.