Missing soldiers returns

Missing soldiers returns

By Segun Ojo with PTs

The reported missing soldiers in Maiduguri have returned and reunited with colleagues at their unit. They came under intense attack from Boko Haram insurgents on Wednesday.

But in attempts to cover up the setback suffered by its troops and discredit PREMIUM TIMES exclusive report on the matter, senior officials of the Nigerian Army made at least four contradictory statements in the last 24 hours.

In the latest statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday, spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Sani Usman, however admitted the return of the missing soldiers, lamenting that the army suffered a “slight setback”.

“Nigerian troops operating in the Northern Borno State towns of Gudumbali and Kareto had slight setback within the week. However, the situation is being stabilized.

“The troops have re-joined their units for further action.

“The earlier media reports were exaggerated. The CO (Commanding Officer) is currently with his soldiers.

“The incidence was just a minor setback, which is common in military operations,” Mr. Usman, a colonel, said in a brief statement.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the commanding officer, alongside a few other soldiers, emerged from the bush in a van several hours after the encounter.

It was also gathered that some injured soldiers were taken to the 7 Division hospital in Borno State.

Posted from GoBroadsheet