Army admits 5 soldiers died in Boko Haram attack

Two days after an attack by the insurgent group, Boko Haram on Magumeri town in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State, the Nigerian Army has finally revealed that five soldiers lost their lives while three are still missing in the spell.

It was reported on Wednesday that the insurgent group ambushed Lieutenant Akinwale Christopher Oguntoye and his colleagues while they were on their way to Gubio from a shooting range competition in Monguno.

According to the report, the officers were pinned down by terrorists in Magumeri, where they also razed down houses, including a police station in the town.

The Army spokesman, Sani Usman, who confirmed the attack on Friday, did not reveal the names of the officers.

But it was learnt that Lieutenant Oguntoye, was among those who died in the attack.
Usman, who debunked the story that the army were pinned down in the attack, said the army successfully repelled the attack.

Read also: Nigerian Army laments ‘unholy alliance’ between terrorists and villagers

He said, “Troops chased the fleeing Boko Haram terrorists up to Doho, Mina Maideni, Donari, Salari, and Lawari villages.”

“After hot pursuit and mop up the troops were able to neutralise an unconfirmed number of Boko Haram terrorists and recovered 1 gun truck, 2 anti-aircraft guns, two extra barrels, two rocket propelled grenade bombs, 31 pieces of Nitrogen 57mm bombs, 1 roll of nitrogen cable and a 60mm mortar bomb.

“Others were assorted general purpose machine gun and anti-aircraft ammunition and their links, three spare vehicle tyres with rims, 1 vulcanising machine, 1 Qlink motorcycle, foodstuff and three Boko Haram terrorist sown camouflage.

“Unfortunately we lost an officer and 4 soldiers, while 3 others were still missing.”

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