Islamist insurgency Boko Haram claimed it carried out Monday’s attack on the Nigerian town Rann, according to a video released by Nigerian journalist Ahmad Salkida.
Reuters originally reported Islamic State West Africa (ISWA), an offshoot of Boko Haram now the dominant group, was responsible, citing sources.
If Boko Haram’s involvement is confirmed, it would mean both ISWA and Boko Haram are able to overrun Nigerian military positions in the north-east.
Major General Benson Akinroluyo told Reuters the video was recorded during the attack on Rann but troops are now on the ground and he visited the town.
The attack comes amid a surge of assaults by the militants, weeks before February 16 elections in which President Muhammadu Buhari seeks a second term.
Last month, ISWA launched a series of attacks that saw them take Baga, the Nigerian headquarters of a multi-country force formed by Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger to fight the extremists, sending more than 30,000 people fleeing.
