The incident which reportedly took place on Sunday night was revealed on September 15, 2014, Monday, by the Punch.
According to report, the
soldiers were shortlisted for a counter-terrorism course at the Nigerian Army
Training Centre in Kontagora, Niger State. They were deployed to boost the on-going
counter-terrorism operation in Borno and Adamawa states after completing their
counter- insurgency course.
A security source, who
spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that four of the soldiers sustained
serious injuries but no life was lost in the attack. He said the attack is
suspected to have been carried out by Boko Haram because of the sophisticated
weapons the assailants used while shooting at the vans conveying the soldiers
from both sides.
The source further revealed
that the gallant soldiers also shot their way through the ambush and slept at
the Army formation in Lokoja. He said the injured soldiers have been taken to a
military facility in Lokoja for medical attention.
“It was not long that the
soldiers returned from a peacekeeping operation in Sudan; they were members of
the NIBBATT 41 that returned to the country about two months ago. The soldiers
were taken unawares as the attackers operated from both sides of the road and
got four of the soldiers seriously wounded” the source said.
The source, however,
expressed believe that the insurgents may have been tipped off on the movement
of the troops from Benin to Kontagora. He said the soldiers have left for
Kontagora to participate in the planned course.
When the Director of
Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, was contacted for confirmation
of the ambush, is mobile phone was switched off.
Meanwhile, it would be
recalled that no fewer than 190 Nigerian soldiers were on January 19, 2013,
ambushed by insurgents a few kilometres from Okene, Kogi State. The sect
reportedly cut through the convoy of Mali-bound Nigerian Army peacekeepers
travelling in three luxury buses via Kaduna to Bamako, Mali. One of the convoy
was reportedly blown by improvised explosive devices planted on the highway,
which was later accompanied by heavy gunfire. Two soldiers died, while others
sustained injuries. Days after, Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis-Sudan, a
breakaway group from Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attack.
However, the Chief of Air
Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, has hinted that they might know the location
of the jet, which disappeared after last Friday operation against Boko Haram in
Konduga, Borno State.
Punch
Boko seems to be totally in charge, too bad
ReplyDeleteNigerian soliers are not trained
ReplyDeleteUseless soilders
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