30 killed as militants attack wedding convoy in NigeriaNovember 4, 2013 - 14:03 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Suspected Islamist militants fired on a convoy of people returning from a wedding party in northeastern Nigeria, killing 30 of them, including the groom, local government authorities said on Monday, Nov 4, according to Reuters. But the military in charge of the area denied the report, saying only five people had been killed in the attack late on Saturday. Adamawa state spokesman Ahmad Sajo said the attack happened along the Bama-Gwoza road just in neighboring Borno state, as some of the wedding party were leaving. The forested area has become a favored hideout for fighters of Islamist sect Boko Haram, which wants to carve an Islamic state out of religiously-mixed Nigeria, since a military offensive in May scattered their insurgency. Sajo said he had received a report of the 30 deaths from the military in Adamawa division, who had in turn received it from the Borno state military. "They said that 30 people were killed by the suspected BH (Boko Haram)," he said. But in a statement, the military division for Borno state denied that as many as 30 had been killed, putting the number at five. It said it recovered the bodies and brought them to Bama. "This is one of the isolated attacks by frustrated elements, as most of their camps and hideouts are being destroyed," it said. Thousands have been killed since Boko Haram launched an uprising against the state in 2009, turning itself from a clerical movement opposed to Western culture into an armed militia with links to al Qaeda's West African wing. The group is seen as the biggest security threat to Africa's top oil producer. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |