Boko Haram militants have shot and injured the
acting Brigade commander of 23rd Brigade in
Yola.
Colonel Popoola was shot in the shoulder three
days ago in the thick of a battle to regain control
of Hong and Gombi in Adamawa state from the
Islamist militant sect. An army source in Abuja
told SaharaReporters that the senior army officer
has been evacuated to UCH Ibadan where he is
expected to receive better and further treatment
in the coming days.
Several soldiers were reported to have died in
the battle. The military source also told
SaharaReporters that at least 300 Boko Haram
militants have died in the battle.
Colonel Popoola reportedly led a new crop of
soldiers drafted from Jos into battle against the
insurgents in a renewed battle to retake several
towns from Boko Haram. The troop was able to
recover two armored tanks from the militants
after the battle was over.
The military claimed to have regained control of
towns today in a short tweet.
Meanwhile, four commanders have been
arrested for deserting their troops during the
Monday fight that earned Colonel Popoola a
bullet to his shoulder. The arrested soldiers
include one Lieutenant Mohammed, the QRG
commander of 234 battalion; 2nd Lieutenant UC
Uche, Platoon commander of Bravo Company of
the 234 battalion; Captain Lawal; and Lieutenant
Buraji who is Mararaba platoon commander. The
four and one other Captain Lawan were led away
in handcuffs yesterday and locked up inside the
military police guardroom at the 23rd Brigade in
Yola Adamawa state.