A convoy carrying Nigeria’s chief of army staff was ambushed by Boko Haram militants on Sunday, hours before UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Abuja to discuss ways to combat extremism.
One Nigerian soldier died and 10 militants were killed during the attack. Another five militants were also arrested, DW reported.
Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, who was unharmed, was visiting troops in the northeast Saturday when insurgents attacked in Faljari village, 45 kilometers east of Borno State capital Maiduguri, army spokesman Sani Usman said.
UN chief paid tribute on Monday to 23 colleagues killed four years ago in a Boko Haram car bombing at his organization’s Nigeria headquarters.
Ban met with Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari and promised solidarity in the new Nigerian leader’s fight against insecurity, unemployment and corruption.
His visit comes as a regional army is preparing a long-delayed offensive against Boko Haram extremists.
The armed group has stepped up its attacks in Borno and two neighboring states in its northeastern heartland since Buhari came to power in May.
The fresh wave of violence has claimed more than 1,000 lives over the last three months, dealing a setback to a four-country offensive launched in February.
