Niamey: The United Nations refugee agency says at least 50,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in southeastern Niger after a series of attacks by Islamic extremist group Boko Haram.
The agency said Tuesday that attacks by the Nigeria-based fighters on Friday, Sunday and Monday on the town of Bosso and its military post forced people to flee.
Read: 32 troops killed in Niger clash with Boko Haram jihadists: Defence Ministry
Niger's National Defense Minister Hassoumi Massoudou said Tuesday the death toll from the overnight attack Friday in Bosso has been revised. He said 24 soldiers from Niger were killed along with two soldiers from Nigeria. The defense ministry earlier reported that 30 soldiers from Niger and two Nigerian soldiers were killed.
Massoudou said 55 insurgents were also killed. Boko Haram's nearly seven-year insurgency has killed thousands and displaced 2.7 million.
