Incident Summary:

01/19/2013: Perpetrators triggered a roadside bomb and then opened fire on a convoy of Nigerian troops going to fight in Mali in Abobo village, Kogi state, Nigeria. Two soldiers died and at least five were injured in the attack. Ansaru (Jama'atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan) claimed responsibility for the incident, stating the attack was in response for Nigerian troops entering the ongoing fight in Mali.

GTD ID:
201301190010

When:
2013-01-19

Country:
Nigeria

Region:
Sub-Saharan Africa

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Kogi

City:
Abobo

Location Details:
Event occurred in Abobo village just outside of Okene

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Armed Assault
Type of Attack (more) Bombing/Explosion
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Military
Name of Entity Nigerian Army (NA)
Specific Description Convoy of Soldiers
Nationality of Target Nigeria
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Minor (likely < $1 million)
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Explosives Remote Trigger
Firearms Automatic Weapon
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) No
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) Yes
Alternate Designation (more) Insurgency/Guerilla Action
Additional Information There is conflicting casualty information across sources.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Ansaru (Jama'atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan) Yes (Confirmed: Unknown; Mode: Other)
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 2 Fatalities / 5 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 2
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 5
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"Islamists Ansaru claim attack on Mali-bound Nigeria troops," Jerusalem Post, January 20, 2013.
"Islamists claim attack that killed 2 Mali-bound Nigerian troops," Agence France Presse -- English, January 20, 2013.
"Three killed in attack on convoy of Nigerian emir," Agence France Presse -- English, January 19, 2013.