13 Soldiers Injured, Some Missing As Boko Haram Attacks In Borno

Some soldiers are missing, while 13 others are injured following confrontation between the Nigerian army and Boko Haram insurgents at Gashigar in Borno state.

A statement issued on Tuesday by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations Col. Sani Usman stated that the incident took place at a border area of northern Borno with Niger Republic.

Col. Usman confirms the attack Tuesday

“Yesterday (Monday) at about 5.30 p.m. suspected escaping remnants of Boko Haram terrorists attacked troops location at Gashigar, border area with Niger Republic, Northern Borno .

“The troops did their best to defend the location.

“In the process, 13 soldiers’ sustained injuries while some are still missing in action.

“The temporary setback made the troops to withdraw from the location.

“However, the wounded soldiers have been evacuated and receiving treatment, while efforts are ongoing in search of those missing and clear the Boko Haram terrorists at the general area,” he said.

Army chief speaks in Lagos

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has pledged to work closely with the Federal Government to ensure the release of the remaining Chibok girls and other Nigerians abducted by Boko Haram.

The army chief made the pledge on Tuesday while responding to questions from newsmen at the new headquarters of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, Yaba, Lagos.

Buratai, however, dismissed insinuations alluding to resurgence of insurgency following recent attacks by Boko Haram.

…working on strategy for release of captives

The army boss disclosed that plans are on ground to rescue those in Boko Haram captivity.

“We are working on our own strategy, not only for the rescue of the Chibok girls, but other Nigerians that have been abducted by the insurgents.

“It is our objective that we rescue everybody.”

“You cannot call these attacks resurgence of insurgency. We are taking care of the attacks.

“Whenever there is attack, we look at it again and see what happens so that we address subsequent ones.

“There is a conflict in which we have done very well. We have gone very far, we have put – terrorists out of our territory.

“They mostly come from outside our territory to attack our troops. We are working along with the Multinational Joint Task Force to address that,” Buratai said.