Soldier killed in NE Nigeria landmine blast

A Nigerian soldier was killed on Friday when a military convoy transporting suspected Boko Haram jihadists struck a mine in the northeast of the country, security sources told AFP.

The convoy was travelling to the town of Konduga in Borno state when the lead vehicle drove over the buried mine.

“The vehicle hit an IED planted by Boko Haram terrorists, which damaged the vehicle and killed a soldier,” a Nigerian army officer said on condition of anonymity.

Three other soldiers were wounded in the blast, the officer added, and none of the prisoners escaped.

Boko Haram has carried out a string of suicide attacks and kidnappings in northeastern Nigeria in recent years, leaving at least 20,000 people dead and displacing 2.6 million since 2009.

The Islamists have recently stepped up attacks on military targets despite the army insisting it is a spent force.