JUST IN: 12 loggers killed in Boko Haram landmine attack in Borno

At least 12 loggers lost their lives in Borno state when their vehicle hit a landmine suspected to be planted by Boko Haram jihadists.

The deadly explosion occurred near the border with Cameroon as the loggers were on their way to collect firewood. AFP reports that seven others sustained injuries, with three in critical condition.

“Men suspected to be Boko Haram… planted explosive… and killed 12 people while many were injured along Pulka to Gwoza route,” one of the reports read.

According to the other report, which gave the same toll, seven other loggers were injured “out of which three are very critical and have been evacuated to Maiduguri for further medical attention”.

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There has been a surge in mine explosions targeting civilian convoys recently that have been blamed on jihadists.

Boko Haram seized Gwoza in July 2014, making it the headquarters of their so-called caliphate. Although it was retaken by Nigerian troops in March 2015, the jihadists still raid nearby villages from hideouts in the mountains along the border with Cameroon.

Residents of villages in the area fled into Gwoza and nearby Pulka where they live in camps under military protection.

Troops conduct patrols in the area to deter the militants from killing or abducting residents who venture into the bush, especially women who collect acacia fruits and firewood.

Boko Haram and the rival Islamic State West Africa Province are known to target loggers, farmers and herders, accusing them of spying on them for troops and anti-jihadist militia fighting them.