Nigerian Army announces rescue of kidnapped NNPC officials, says nine soldiers killed

At least nine soldiers and a civilian were killed after Boko Haram members kidnapped Nigerian oil workers who were on an oil exploration mission in the Lake Chad basin.    

The Nigerian Army, in a statement by its spokesperson, Sani Usman, confirmed the casualty.

Mr. Usman, a brigadier general, also said the kidnapped oil workers, who were recruited by the state oil firm, NNPC, had been rescued.

 “So far, they (troops) have rescued all the NNPC staff and recovered the corpses of the officer, 8 soldiers and a civilian who have been deposited at the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital.” Mr. Usman said without giving the total number of rescued NNPC officials.

A local government chairperson in Borno had earlier told journalists that seven people were rescued by the soldiers.

The council chairman of Magumeri Local Government Area, Zanna Modu, informed journalists via a phone interview that the rescue was effected on Wednesday after a heated gun battle between soldiers and members of the terror group.