Reported Boko Haram attack on 23 soldiers untrue - Nigerian Army
The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports that 23 Nigerian soldiers are yet to be accounted for after Boko Haram insurgents ambushed a military convoy at Boboshe village in Bama local government area of Borno state.
The army in a tweet on Monday, July 16, described the report as misleading, adding that 22 members of Boko Haram were killed when the terrorists tried to cart away operational vehicles of troops.
The military also faulted a report that an army base a in Jilli, a village in Yobe state, on Saturday, July 14 was attacked by insurgents.
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The army called on members of the public to disregard the report and go about their legitimate businesses as it is on top of the situation.
It urged media practitioners to endeavour to verify facts from the appropriate military authority before rushing to the press.
Read tweets from the army below:
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Read the full statement of the army spokesperson, Brigadier General Texax Chukwu on the issue below:
1. The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to news making the round alleging attack on soldiers and capturing of military vehicles by Boko Haram in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
2. The Nigerian Army wishes to state categorically that the report is not only untrue but misleading as the said report is blown out of proportion by the media.
3. Contrary to the report, the Nigerian Army wishes to put the record straight on the issue and assure members of the public particularly residents of the North East to disregard the report as their safety is guaranteed.
4.The Nigeria Army wishes to state that there was an attempted attack on troops at Kwakwa and Chingori communities in Bama area of Borno State by suspected Boko Haram Terrorists as a result of difficult terrain where our vehicles bugged down. The terrorists also attempted to cart away troops operational vehicles, but were successfully repelled by our gallant troops with the support of the Nigerian Air Force.
5. About 22 members of Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised while several others escaped with gunshot wounds. Efforts are being intensified by the troops to get the fleeing members of the Boko Haram terrorists.
6. Unfortunately, one officer and a soldier sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention at the military medical facility.
7. While the Nigerian Army would not join issues with the media, certain facts must be reported with caution particularly now that numerous successes have been recorded by the troops in the fight against insurgency.
8. Members of the public are hereby advised to disregard the report and go about their legitimate businesses as the Nigerian Army is on top of the situation.
9. It is my well-thought-out opinion that in future, media practitioners should endeavour to verify facts from the appropriate military authority before rushing to the press."
In another report, the members of the House of Representatives are set to question former presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, over recoveries of money stolen by a former military head of state, Sani Abacha.
Punch reports that an 11-man panel of the House slated to begin work on Monday, July 16, has been constituted to investigate the recoveries.
It was gathered that the panel would be chaired by a former chairman of the House committee on appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin.
Nigerian Air Force Operations Against Boko Haram on Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
