Nigerian Army Refutes Claim of 40 Soldiers Killed in Borno Attacks
The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports claiming that more than 40 soldiers were killed during recent terrorist attacks in parts of Borno State, describing the report as misleading and based on unverified sources.
In a statement issued on Saturday by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, the Army said the report misrepresented the situation and failed to acknowledge the efforts of troops who fought to protect communities from coordinated assaults by terrorists.
According to the Army, the attacks occurred after remnants of the extremist group Boko Haram, previously dislodged from the Sambisa Forest during sustained military operations, regrouped and launched night attacks from multiple directions on vulnerable communities and military locations around Konduga, Ngoshe, Mainok and Jakana.
Troops deployed in the affected areas reportedly responded swiftly and engaged the attackers in intense battles, successfully repelling the assaults and defending the communities. During the clashes, several terrorists were said to have been neutralised.
The Army, however, confirmed that a commanding officer and some soldiers lost their lives during the confrontations while attempting to prevent further attacks on nearby communities.
“It is important to note that the troops were not overrun as portrayed in the report,” the statement said, adding that soldiers engaged the attackers from multiple fronts to protect civilians and restore normalcy.
The Army also said the terrorists used indiscriminate explosives and heavy gunfire during the attacks, which resulted in civilian casualties as residents were caught in the crossfire.
Following the incident, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, visited the theatre of operations in Maiduguri, where he met with troops and commanders to assess the operational situation and reinforce ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
During the visit, he ordered the immediate reinforcement of troops and the deployment of additional equipment to the affected areas to sustain operations against the fleeing insurgents.
The Army said coordinated ground and air operations are ongoing to track the attackers, dismantle their regrouping elements and rescue civilians who may have been abducted during the attacks.
The military urged the public to disregard what it described as exaggerated reports intended to undermine the morale of troops, reaffirming its commitment to defeating terrorist groups and restoring security in the region.
