Boko Haram attacks soldiers, loses two members - Nigeria military

Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - Two suspected members of the violent Islamic sect Boko Haram were killed Friday in a clash in Nigeria's northern city of Maiduguri between the sect members and the military Joint Task Force (JTF) deployed to help keep the peace in the city, JTF said.

JTF Spokesman, Col. Musa Sagir, said the incident happened when the sect members attacked a JTF patrol vehicle in the Shehuri general area.

''The incident led to the killing of two Boko Haram terrorists, 2 JTF personnel were wounded, are stable and are responding to treatment at UMTH (University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital),'' Col. Sagir said in a statement made available to PANA in Lagos. ''25 suspects are so far arrested in connection with the episode.''

Boko Haram has recently stepped up its violent campaign in its spiritual base. Maiduguri, capital of Nigeria's north-east Borno state.

Since launching its violent campaign in 2009, the sect has killed over 1,200 people in gun and bomb attacks in the predominantly-Muslim northern Nigeria as well as in the capital city of Abuja.
-0- PANA SEG 27July2012