Nigerian Army
Reports emerged online yesterday that at least 30 soldiers were
killed during a battle with suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Borno
State.
The report had claimed that troops deployed in Zari town, Guzamali
Local Government Area of the state, came under attack on Thursday,
leading to the ugly development.
The media report, which quoted military sources, read: ”At
least 30 Nigerian soldiers were killed in combat with Boko Haram
jihadists who overran a military base in the northeast near the border
with Niger.
“Scores of jihadists in trucks stormed the base at Zari
village, in northern Borno State, late Thursday, and briefly seized it
after a fierce battle in which 30 soldiers were killed.”
In a swift reaction to the report in a telephone interview,
spokesman for Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole, Colonel Onyema
Nwachukwu, while confirming the attack, denied that the Army suffered
casualties.
According Colonel Nwachukwu, contrary to the report, several of the
terrorists were killed by the military troops just as he said the
terrorists’ equipment were captured.
Hear him: “That information is not correct. It’s true that we
had an encounter with Boko Haram at a location called Zari. The Boko
Haram came to attack that community, and our troops deployed few
kilometres away from the location, countered the attack.
“The ground troops were supported by the Air Task Force, and
several Boko Haram Terrorists were killed, and we also destroyed many of
their equipment, weapons.
“On our side, I’m yet to receive casualty figure on my desk, if
there was any. So, I cannot confirm that we had (any) and I think it’s
very untrue for anyone to (say we had that casualty figure).”
He said a statement was earlier issued by the command to the effect.
The statement, which was signed by the DAPR, had read: “Troops…
have successfully routed Boko Haram insurgents in an encounter that
ensued yesterday (Thursday) evening at Zari village in Guzamali Local
Government Area of Borno state.
“The insurgents were on rampage to loot the community and
extort money from villagers but met with a fierce resistance by the
troops who were supported by the Air Task Force.
“Several members of the Boko Haram fighters were neutralized and weapons destroyed during the encounter.
“Zari village and the surrounding communities have been
stabilized and normalcy restored. The troops have also been reinforced
to conduct more robust fighting patrol in the general area.
“The people of Guzamali and Mobar communities and indeed the
entire good people of Borno State are urged to remain calm, resilient
and supportive of Operation Lafiya Dole, as the troops relentlessly
fight terrorism and insurgency in the North East.”