Maiduguri: Suspected Boko Haram fighters killed seven Nigerian soldiers and captured 13 others during an attack in northeastern Nigeria, security sources said on Tuesday.
The attack happened near Damasak in Borno state, close to the border with Niger. Militants ambushed a military patrol as it moved through the area. The soldiers tried to fight back, but they were outnumbered and forced to retreat.
Sources said the captured soldiers included their commanding officer. After the attack, the militants reportedly took his mobile phone and later answered calls, claiming they were members of Boko Haram.
The Nigerian military has not yet released an official statement on the incident. Troops have been deployed to the area to track the attackers and search for the missing soldiers.
The latest assault comes as Nigeria continues to face violence from Islamist groups in the northeast and armed gangs in the northwest. Boko Haram began its insurgency in 2009 and later split into rival factions, including one linked to the Islamic State group.
Despite years of military operations, these groups still carry out deadly attacks on both soldiers and civilians, especially in remote areas with difficult terrain.
In recent days, Nigerian troops have also been fighting militants and bandits in other parts of the country. Security officials say the army remains under pressure as it tries to deal with threats on several fronts at the same time.
The attack has raised fresh concerns about the safety of soldiers and residents in Borno state, where violence has displaced millions of people over the past decade.