KANO: At least 26 members of the Nigerian armed force have been killed and eight others injured in a deadly ambush by gunmen in Nigeria, reported AFP on Monday.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the Nigerian Air Force said that a rescue helicopter crashed on Monday morning in the conflict-hit area. He did not give any details about the survival or killing of the crew members in the crash.
Attacks or kidnappings by criminals had only seen a pause of a week in the country’s northwest and centre.
Experts believe that the lack of security and the government’s strategy to deal with such criminals are the reasons for the increase in violence in the area.
Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria continue
It is pertinent to mention that the militant group Boko Haram and its rival faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have been carrying out attacks against civilians in different areas of Nigeria.
Recent weeks have witnessed a rise in Boko Haram’s attacks on farmers, forcing many to stop going to their fields. According to reports, over 40,000 people have been killed in the 14-year-long conflict.
The situation in Nigeria is a matter of grave concern for the government and its neighbouring states.
The conflict has also reached to neighboring counters of Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. The countries have formed a joint military coalition to confront the militant groups.
Read Also: 13 Killed in Suspected Boko Haram Attacks in Northeast Nigeria
The recent coup in Niger has further escalated the tension in West Africa. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has agreed to send a standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger.
However, the Western African states have not given a specific time for the operation. Diplomatic efforts are underway to restore the democratic government of Niger, ousted by a military coup on July 26.
