The Nigerian army in Mussa in the Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State swiftly repelled insurgents attempting to attack the military base on the outskirts of the village on Thursday, December 23.

A resident, Habu Musa, told RNI reporter Aisha Jamal that the insurgents arrived in the village at about 5pm. He thought they were members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). “I think there might have been casualties among the insurgents but no residents were hurt because they did not gain access to the village.”

Resident Sara Mamza said: “We heard that the insurgents attacked the military base and took away some vehicles and weapons but they did not come into the village.”

Last week Borno governor Babagana Zulum expressed concern about the number of attacks in the towns and villages of Askira-Uba. In the past three weeks attacks had occurred in Chul, Rumirgo, Lassa, Mussa, Kufa and Gwandam.