32 soldiers killed in Boko Haram attack in Niger

At least thirty soldiers from Niger and two others from Nigeria were killed on Friday night in an attack in Bosso, Diffa region in southeastern Niger, close to the border with Nigeria, according to an official statement on Saturday.

According to the statement of Niger defence ministry, hundreds of Boko Haram militants attacked the town of Bosso during the night.

Overwhelmed by the firepower, the Nigerian soldiers were forced to retreat.

During the fight, seven other soldiers were injured, the statement added.

The counter-offensive conducted by the Nigerien forces early Saturday morning has retaken all the positions in Bosso,"The situation is under control and calm has returned in this locality," the ministry said.

The eastern part of Niger, close to the border with Nigeria has witnessed since February 2015 repeated attacks launched by Boko Haram, who has claimed the lives of hundreds of Nigerien civilians and soldiers, the group has also displaced thousands of Nigerians as well as Nigeriens.

source : xinhua