The Nigerian Army has confirmed that 23 of its personnel were
killed and 31 others wounded when Boko Haram terrorists attacked
troops locations on Nov. 18 at Metele in Northern Borno.
The figure contradicts reports of 44 to 100 army personnel
allegedly killed in the attack.
In a statement issued by Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman on behalf of the
Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Wednesday, the
army, however, said that between Nov. 2 and Nov. 17, the insurgents
attacked troops’ positions at Kukawa, Ngoshe, Kareto and
Gajiram.
He said troops repelled those attacks but 16 soldiers were
killed, while 12 others sustained injuries in those incidents.
“The sacrifices of these fallen heroes will not be in vain.
“We also wish all those wounded in action speedy recovery and
assure them of our continued support and care,” Usman said. .
Usman said the incident of Nov. 18 happened at a time when the
Nigerian Army was planning to hold the Chief of Army Staff Annual
Conference for 2018 in Benin City.
“On account of this incident, the Conference had to be moved
from Benin City to Maiduguri to enable the Nigerian Army leadership
get closer to the troops on the ground and to better appraise our
activities, assess our performance and identify our shortcomings as
an army.
“We are also sensitive to the fact that the nation is
approaching an election year and thus we must be prepared to assist
in providing security for the peaceful conduct of elections.
Accordingly, the theme for this year’s annual conference is
aptly titled, “Optimizing the Operational Efficiency of the
Nigerian Army Towards Safeguarding Democracy and National Security
in Nigeria,” Usman said.
Read also: Metele attack: Surviving soldiers accuse military
authorities of procuring obsolete weapons
He assured Nigerians and the international community that the army
would work optimally, in conjunction with other security agencies
to provide a secure environment for peace and unity in Nigeria.
Usman noted that since 2015, the army in conjunction with sister
services and other security agencies had systematically degraded
the capabilities and capacity of Boko Haram terrorists and recorded
many successes.
However, he said in the last two to three months, there were
daring moves by the terrorists, who had used drones against troops’
defensive positions and infusion of foreign fighters in their
ranks.
“These potent threats require us to continually review our
operations.
“The Nigerian Army, wishes to reiterate and pledge its total
commitment to the defence of the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria.
“We wish to reassure all Nigerians of the commitment of the
Nigerian Army to defend our country at all costs.
“We shall also continue to remain apolitical, professional and
responsive in the discharge of our constitutional roles. (NAN)
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