56 people killed in clash between Nigerian troops, Boko Haram

At least 56 people were killed in a deadly clash between security forces and Islamic Boko Haram group in the Nigerian northeast city of Damboa, in Borno State, army authority said late on Sunday. Spokesperson for the Nigerian defence headquarters Major-General Chris Olukolade disclosed this in a statement reaching Xinhua, saying over 50 terrorists died as troops repelled a daring attack on troops' locations on Friday. The terrorists had stormed the troops' bases and police locations while most of the troops were out on patrol of surrounding villages, he added, noting that five soldiers and a senior officer were killed while repelling the attack. According to him, a cordon and search of the locality is ongoing, while the bodies of the fallen soldiers have been recovered and deposited in the military morgue. The military spokesperson said the wounded are receiving treatment in the military medical facility. In a related development, Major-General Olukolade said troops on patrol around Baga area of the state recovered explosives and rifles concealed in a truck loaded with fish and other commodities. He added that four suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the incident. The military spokesperson added that a suicide bomber in a Golf car on Saturday crashed into a checkpoint killing himself, a policeman and three Vigilante Youth members at Konduga area of the state. Boko Haram, which launched its uprising against the government in 2009, has killed thousands in its five-year insurgency for an independent Islamic state in the north. Several hundred people were killed in the past two months. LAGOS NAMPA / XINHUA