Some soldiers and policemen were killed after Boko Haram insurgents ambushed a convoy of government officials in Borno.
A military source said that the tragic incident occurred at Korochara village, located two kilometres from the headquarters of the multi-national joint task force, Baga, Borno, on Friday.
The source said the security operatives were escorting the government officials to Baga town for the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) when they were ambushed by the insurgents.
Another source said eight soldiers, three policemen and four other members of the civilian joint task force were killed during the attack.
Our correspondent could not independently verify this claim. Sagir Musa, army spokesman, neither answered calls nor replied the text message sent.
Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, had inaugurated a 23-member committee for the relocation of internally displaced persons from Baga communities to their ancestral homes in Kukawa local government area (LGA) of the state.
Zulum had said the relocation was sequel to a letter sent to Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, demanding immediate resettlement of all IDPs from Baga, beginning September 26, 2020.
He had charged the committee to ensure the safe return of the IDPs, adding that the government was doing everything possible to support them.
Baga is a fishing community located on the fringes of Lake Chad which has been deserted for over two years due to activities of insurgents.
Several attacks have been perpetrated on the region by Boko Haram insurgents, leading to the loss of lives and properties.
The incident comes less than one week after D.C. Bako, commander of the 25 task force brigade, was killed by insurgents.