Death toll in Boko Haram attack on NNPC, UNIMAID convoy now over 70

The death toll in the attack by the Boko Haram sect on the convoy of those prospecting for oil in Nigeria’s part of the Lake Chad Basin may have risen to over 70, AFP is reporting.
According to the News Agency, a source in the team carrying out the rescue operation put the death toll at not less than 69.
The convoy, made up of staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, lecturers and drivers from the University of Maiduguri, soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, was attacked on Tuesday.
Three of the staff of UNIMAID who are still being held by the Abu Albarwani sect, which broke away from the Abubakar Shekau faction, have advised against their forceful release, warning that it could lead to their death.
The staff are: Yusuf Ibrahim, a lecturer in the Geology Department; Umar Dashi, a driver; and Dr. Solomon N. Yusuf, also a lecturer with the Geology Department.