12 soldiers were killed in Northeast Nigeria, during another attack by Boko Haram. Several dozen others are still missing. This is just another in a recent series of attacks, specifically in Gudumbali in Borno State. Boko Haram has been increasing their attacks on military and governmental targets in what seems to be an attempt to gain back ground. It is believed that these attacks are being conducted by the ISIS backed group of Boko Haram, also known as the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA).

The army said it repelled the attack in which it said one soldier was killed and another injured.

The fighting followed an attack on Friday by insurgents in Gudumbali local government area – a part of Borno where Boko Haram breakaway group Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) is influential. The sources said the poor communication network in the remote area delayed details of the attack being relayed.

The three military sources, all of whom are soldiers and did not want to be named, said at least 12 troops were killed and dozens were missing after the fighting.

The attack, which the sources say was carried out on a military base and a nearby community in the Gudumbali local government area, comes as President Muhammadu Buhari’s security record has become a campaign issue two months ahead of an election in which he is seeking a second term.

At a meeting with delegates from Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, said that this is a must win war and a fight to the finish.

This is the first time in the past several years that Buhari has admitted that the war is not over. His constant refrain in the past has been that Boko Haram is technically and tactically defeated.

Hopefully, with this new understanding of the situation, and a coalition of forces to fight Boko Haram will result in winning the war against the terrorists. 

If Boko Haram is allowed to regain their strength and seize control of Northeast Nigeria, Christians will bear the brunt of attacks again.

During the first eight years of the terrorist groups existence, they killed thousands of Christians, destroyed many churches and forced Christian headquarters from the area.

As the fighting has lessened, some of these families have been able to return home. 

Source: Persecution.org, Reuters.com