Unsuspecting Nigerian troops have run into an ambush by Boko Haram terrorists, with no fewer than nine of them losing their lives. The incident happened at the border area of Izhe village in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State in the troubled North-east of Nigeria.

Madagali LG Chairman, Mr. Maina Ularamu, confirmed the incident to journalists yesterday, saying: “The soldiers were going to repel a planned attack at Izhe border village when they were ambushed by the heavily armed insurgents.”

He disclosed that the terrorists were well armed with anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons mounted on their vehicles, attacking the soldiers from different directions.

Ularamu said the incident had caused fear and tension in most of the villages at the border, adding that some of the villagers had since fled to Madagali, the administrative headquarters, for fear of possible attacks.

Meanwhile, Adamawa State College of Education, Hong, has become deserted following an exodus of students after elements purporting to be acting on behalf of Boko Haram wrote to give advance warning of their intention to attack the school.

Provost of the college, Dr. Johnson Pongri, said: “The students have started leaving the campus since Tuesday evening over the alleged threat from Boko Haram, while some left campus yesterday.

“However, the management of the college has been trying to pacify the students to stay back in the institution as security operatives are on alert and trying to beef up security in the college.”

Dr. said the Hong Divisional Police Officer, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the state had been informed of the letter, which he said was the fifth in two months threatening to attack the college, without specifying the time of attack.

The Provost said though he suspected that the letter could have been written by some disgruntled students and staff members, it was necessary to take steps to safeguard the lives of staff and students.

•Photo shows Boko Haram fighters.