by Vincent Ehiabhi

An IED has killed two soldiers and injured five others, Saturday in Okene, Kogi state. An army spokesman added that they were part of the contingent set to be deployed to Mali.

Major General Bola Koleoso said that the soldiers were among the troops being prepared for deployment in Mali as part of an African force to help the country retake its Islamist-controlled north.

“They are soldiers scheduled to go to Mali. We are preparing them ahead of their deployment to Mali,” he said without giving further details.

He did not say if the attack, which he said was the handiwork of suspected Boko Haram Islamists, targeted specifically the troops being prepared for the Mali mission.

A contingent of 80 Nigerian troops departed for Mali on Thursday as part of the UN-mandated African force.