How 105 Nigerian Soldiers Got Missing After Fight With Boko Haram; Army Releases Statement

8 years ago

How 105 Nigerian Soldiers Got Missing After Fight With Boko Haram; Army Releases Statement

No fewer than 105 soldiers are said to have gone missing after a gun battle with Boko haram sect members at Gudunbali, Borno State, on Wednesday November 18th. According to a report by Premium Times, the soldiers went missing after a fight with the insurgents who tried to capture the community early yesterday morning.

A T-72 tank as well as several artillery weapons from the unit were reportedly carted away by the sect members.

“Gudunbali was attacked this morning and some weapons were captured from the battalion. Two officers and 105 soldiers are still missing. They captured a T-72 tank from the unit and some artillery weapons were also captured.
The commanding Officer (CO) of the battalion is yet to be seen but no one has been confirmed dead yet,” a source told PT.The source also added that the sect members carted away a truck loaded with 60,000 rounds of AA ammunition and three artillery pieces.
Spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Sani Usman as well as the spokesperson of the Army’s 7 Division, Tukur Gusau, both declined to comment on the matter, saying that the commander of the division would hold a press conference on the matter today November 19th.

Army Releases Statement
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The Nigerian Army has released a statement explaining what transpired in Gudumbali, Borno state on Wednesday November 18th where 105 soldiers were said to have gone missing after a gun battle with Boko haram members. The statement which is signed by Tukur Ismail Gusau, the Media Coordinator Operation Lafiya Dole, states that the claim is far from true. The statement after the cut...

The attention of the Theatre Command Headquarters Maiduguri has been drawn to various releases on social media on the operation at Gudumbali , northern Borno State.
Most of the publications are not only fictions but imagination of the writers that have no iota of knowledge on military operation. Unfortunately, this is coming at a time when the military has created several avenues for them to get first hand information on our activities. In the quest to be on the same footing with each Nigerian, Media centre was established in the North East.
Additional to this is the open door policy of the leadership style of our chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai where he carries throughout his operational engagements media personalities.
For the records Gulumba was captured by own troops on 10 November 2015 and our troops deployed to secure and weed off Boko Haram terrorists. The location was attacked yesterday morning which resulted in fiarce battle till afternoon. Troops went for pursuit after which they mop and reorganise. The unit suffered some injuries and casualties and equally killed several insurgents. The Nigerian Army has nothing to hide but we call all patriots to support these troops that are courageously fighting for peace and security of our nation. The Theatre Command wishes to state that the story is far from the truth and misrepresentation of facts. In fact, it smacks of the imagination of those symphatetic to Boko Haram terrorists. The Theatre Commander Operation LAFIYA DOLE has addressed the issue and gave journalists the opportunity to ask questions and clarify doubts about the Gudumbali incidence and yet, the medium is yet to reflect the true situation. It should be stated here that, although the unit suffered some casualties, what the medium was reporting was grossly
exaggrated for reasons best known to them. The number of casualty and equipment lost as being circulated is not correct, the situation was
unnecesserily blowned beyond proportion to give terrorists the type of propaganda they desired.
The affected personnel sustained only minor injuries, not gun shot wounds. You are please requested to disseminate this information to the general public. Thanks for your continous support.
Colonel Tukur Ismail Gusau Media Coordinator Operation LAFIYA DOLE