Casualties feared after Boko Haram attack military base

Dozens of soldiers were feared dead after a Boko Haram attack on a military base in remote northeast Nigeria, security sources said today.

Islamist militants overran the base in Jilli village, in the Geidam area of Yobe state, on Saturday evening, a day after a separate attack on troops in neighbouring Borno state.

There has been no official comment about Saturday's attack but one military source told AFP: "So far we have lost 31 soldiers, including three officers.

"Two vigilantes were also killed in the attack," he said, adding that 24 soldiers were injured and being treated in hospital.

A civilian militia source in the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, added: "I don't have an exact toll of those killed.

"But yesterday the dead casualties were brought in three trucks to Maimalari military barracks here in Maiduguri. This means the casualty toll is high."