Our Reporter, Abuja
The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports alleging that more than 40 soldiers were killed during recent terrorist attacks in parts of Borno State, describing the claim as exaggerated and misleading.
In a statement on Saturday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, said the report, published by Sahara Reporters, relied on unverified sources and presented a distorted account of the incident.
According to the Army, the attacks occurred when remnants of Boko Haram insurgents, who had earlier been dislodged from the Sambisa Forest during sustained military offensives, regrouped and launched coordinated night assaults on several communities.
The terrorists reportedly attacked from multiple directions, targeting vulnerable communities and troop locations around Konduga, Ngoshe, Mainok and Jakana.
The Army said troops responded swiftly and fought gallantly to repel the attackers and protect residents.
“During the intense engagements, a number of terrorists were neutralised,” the statement said.
However, the Army confirmed that a commanding officer and some soldiers were killed in the confrontation while attempting to prevent further devastation on surrounding communities.
“It is important to note that the troops were not overrun as portrayed in the report. Rather, they engaged the terrorists from multiple fronts in a determined effort to protect innocent civilians and restore normalcy,” the statement added.
The military also noted that the attackers used indiscriminate explosives and heavy night gunfire during the attacks, which resulted in civilian casualties as residents were caught in the crossfire.
Following the incidents, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, was said to have visited the theatre of operations in Maiduguri, where he met with troops and commanders to reassess the operational situation and strengthen ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
The army further said that during the visit, he directed the immediate reinforcement of troops and the deployment of additional equipment to the affected areas to sustain the fight against the fleeing insurgents.
It said coordinated ground and air operations were currently underway to pursue the terrorists, dismantle their regrouping elements and rescue civilians who might have been abducted during the attacks.
It urged members of the public to disregard what it described as exaggerated reports capable of undermining the morale of troops.
“The Nigerian Army remains resolute and committed to decisively dealing with the terrorists and ensuring that such attacks are thwarted,” the statement said.
