Gunmen attack troops in south Nigeria: army

Authority of the Nigerian Army on Saturday confirmed that gunmen suspected to militants have killed one of its personnel in Bakassi area of south Nigeria's Cross River State in an attack.

Spokesperson for the Army, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, who disclosed this in a statement reaching Xinhua in Lagos, said the troops killed two of the militants in the attack which occurred on Saturday morning.

Other militants escaped with gunshot wounds, he added, noting that the attackers also burnt a buffalo pick up vehicle.

Usman said that two soldiers earlier declared missing in the attack were found when reinforcement was sent to the area.

He said the militants came in several speed boats and attacked troops deployed at Efut Esighi waterfront in Bakassi.

According to him, troops' location has been reinforced with more gunboats and air component.

The clearance and pursuit operation is ongoing, he added. Endit