BREAKING: Militants, army engage in gun battle in Calabar
- Militants in Calabar attempted to kidnap a wealthy oil dealer
- They were intercepted by army on patrol
- The two groups engaged in a gun battle that scared resident
There was a deadly gun battle between Niger Delta militants and men of the Nigerian army over attempt to kidnap an oil dealer in the Anantigha axis of Calabar, Cross River state.
The Punch reports that the attack occurred on Wednesday, July 5 as the militants came out of the one of the creeks in an attempt to kidnap the oil magnate.
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According to a source who simply gave the name of the oil magnate as Daniel, he said he intervention of the army on patrol prevented the kidnap of the man.
It was reported that several gunshots were heard which scared the residents who were forced to flee to safety.
The number of militants involved in the attack could not be ascertained
Meanwhile, The release of the second batch of the 82 Chibok girls recently was a political decision and not one taken by the Nigerian Army, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai said.
Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) in Nigeria, said this in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
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According to Buratai, the Nigerian Army has performed its own roles for the safe passage of the abducted Chibok girls.
Buratai insisted that Boko Haram has been defeated since they only operate in a limited area unlike in the past when they were present in some northern states.
He said: “The Boko Haram terrorists’ swap for the Chibok schoolgirls was a political decision, not a military decision.
“It is in the best interest of the nation and based on the circumstances, the government felt it was the best course.
“Personally, I think it has its own advantages; the message is to rescue the Chibok girls.
“I do not think anyone has said the Boko Haram has been eliminated. Terrorism is something that is resilient.
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