Ever since Premium Times reported the story of some 105 soldiers missing following a Boko Haram attack on the military last week, I have watched in amazement how a set of people - who from their utterances are obviously not concerned about the soldiers - have recklessly tried to make a political capital out of the story. Below are some of facts that should make us believe if 105 were truly killed or not.

1. The news was first reported by reported by Premium Times, claiming to have spoken with sources in the military. The following day, the same Premium Times reported that the missing soldiers had returned, with the Commanding Officers and other soldiers emerging form the bush in a van hours after the encounter: http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/193518-missing-soldiers-return-rejoin-unit-army.html
Somehow, some people decided to believe the first report and completely disregard the second, all coming from the same source.

2. In the past, Boko Haram would release propaganda videos to show equipment they captured from the military after attacks. Isn't it absurd and funny that Boko Haram would kill at least 105 soldiers and they wouldn't make noise about it? Up till now, not even an audio tape has been released by Boko Haram to claim such 'success', especially at a time they have been on the back foot for a while.

3. From the picture allegedly showing the 'dead' soldiers on the net, it's obvious to dicerning minds that, from the damaged bus/vehicle parked at the side, those soldiers were involved in an accident. There's no chance those soldiers were killed by Boko Haram.

4. In the past, exclusive reports of attacks by Boko Haram, such as in Baga and Gwoza were first reported by foreign media like AFP, Reuters and Al Jazeera. up till now, no foreign or local media has reported the death of any soldier from the encounter! You only find such news on blogs or websites with no reputation for reporting factual news.

My conclusion? The military were indeed attacked (which seems to be a rare occurrence these days) but the noise about 105 soldiers losing their lives is rubbish. It is believed by only those who desperately wish the news was true. We know those set of people - they are the ones who celebrate every suicide bombing as though they had won lottery and defend every past corrupt government official as though they shared from the loot. It's in their blood!

ALEBS:
To find out that some Nigerians are sympathetic to Boko Haram to the point of hoping that soldiers (who unknown to them might even be from their home town) are killed just to score political point is alarming.

hungerbad passingshot modath

chigo931:
the way lai mohammed,buhari(an attack on bokoharam is an attack against muslims),tinubu, etc were sympathetic to the jihadist group when gej was the president.

If bokoharam likes they can decimate as many muslims as possible,im still indifferent .

eaglejay13:
Bull sh*t, an auto accident that killed 105 soldiers? Not even a survivor? Please try another lie.

ALEBS:


That's the point. To you, everything is politics, human life means nothing to you as long as any calamity does not directly affect you. Interestingly, it's your kind that would quickly change their FB profile picture to french national flag when any attack occurs in France.

PointB:
Op, when you finish cooking your lies, feed them to the relatives of the dead soldiers!

[size=18pt]Nigerian Army officials in contradictory claims to cover up battle with Boko Haram that left several soldiers missing[/size]

In their attempt to cover up the setback suffered by its troops in a recent battle with the extremist Boko Haram sect and discredit PREMIUM TIMES exclusive report on the matter, senior officials of the Nigerian Army have made at least four contradictory statements in the last 24 hours.

PREMIUM TIMES had exclusively and authoritatively reported that at least 105 soldiers attached to the 157 battalion went missing after they came under intense attack from Boko Haram insurgents in Gudunbali, Borno State, on Wednesday morning,

Reliable military insiders also told this newspaper that the terrorists captured a T-72 tank as well as several artillery weapons from the unit.

When PREMIUM TIMES contacted the spokesperson of the army, Sani Usman, before the story was published, he directed us to forward our enquiries to officials of 7 Division in Maiduguri.

However, the spokesperson of the 7 Division, Tukur Gusau, a colonel, also declined to comment on the matter saying the commander of the division would address a press conference on the issue later on Thursday and that it was improper for him to pre-empt his commanding officer.

However, after our story ran, Mr. Usman called our reporter to officially confirm that the attack indeed took place as reported.

“I want to confirm the incidence at Gudunbali but the details you provided were not correct. “The unit attacked is within the area of responsibility of the MNJTF and troops are now organising to counteract the attack,” he said.

However, he did not give contrary details of the attack to counter PREMIUM TIMES account of the incident. He merely added that the theatre of command would provide details during a press conference in Maiduguri later on Thursday.

During that press briefing, attended by our reporter in Maiduguri, the commander of 7 Division, Yushau Abubakar, also admitted that the troops were involved in a major clash with the insurgents. He further stated that several causalities were recorded on both sides.

“Our troops were attacked in Gudumbali where we dislodged the Boko Haram there. We had an attack and we are sorting it out. But I have not heard anything relating to what is being reported in the media, he said.

He however became evasive when pressed further for details of the attack by journalists.

“I have spoken with the CO (commanding officer) there even this morning and I have not heard anything of such from him. Yes, we went to Gudumbali and we were attacked and we repelled them and we are currently sorting out the situation. In war anything can happen and the operation is ongoing.”

However, later on Thursday evening, the military issued a statement describing the report of the attack as a product of “the imagination of those sympathetic to Boko Haram ways of life.”

“The attention of the Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole was drawn to an online media publication saying troops of 157 Task Force Battalion were overran by the Boko Haram terrorists in Guzamala axis of Borno state and that several personnel were killed and several others cannot be accounted for including the Commanding Officer of the Unit, the statement signed by Mr. Gusau read.

At no point in our two reports on the matter did PREMIUM TIMES say the soldiers were killed. We merely reported that they were missing.

“The Theatre Command wants to state clearly that the story is a fabrication from the imagination of those sympathetic to Boko Haram ways of life.

“Although the location of 157 Battalion was attacked last Wednesday and was subsequently repelled by the gallant troops of the Unit, the Commanding Officer of the Unit is in contact with his Brigade Commander.

“However, the unit suffered some casualties which is normal in military operations. The affected personnel sustained minor injuries but no gunshot wound was sustained by the troops.

“The number of casualty and equipment lost as being circulated is not correct. The situation was unnecessarily blown beyond proportion to give terrorists the type of propaganda they desired,” he stated.

Also later on Thursday night, Mr. Usman, circulated another statement, describing the incident in Gudunbali as a “slight setback”.

“The situation is being stabilised,” he said. “The troops have rejoined their unit for further action. The earlier media reports were exaggerated. The CO is right now with his soldiers. It is just a minor setback and such are common in military operations,” he said.

However, in all its comments on the incident, the military failed to say whether soldiers went missing at any point during the operation or not.

PREMIUM TIMES Managing Editor, Musikilu Mojeed, said Friday morning that his paper was standing by its story.

“We are not surprised by the army’s desperate attempt to confuse Nigerians,” Mr. Mojeed said.

“We understand they were shocked that we got to know about the incident. We stand by our story, and we will provide further details as necessary.”

idupaul:
Does that look like a damaged truck to U? Can't U see the was used to convey the bodies of the dead heroes from the battle front and the side board lowered so the could be brought down

ALEBS:


Isn't it funny you guys want us to believe that there is a cover-up, yet the military would display their bodies openly?

“We understand they were shocked that we got to know about the incident. We stand by our story, and we will provide further details as necessary.”

PointB:
By the wau Op, since you quoted Premium Times, here is another report by them on same issue and perhaps same news item you quoted:






@Op,

Keep deceiving yourself!


http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/193499-nigerian-army-officials-in-contradictory-claims-to-cover-up-battle-with-boko-haram-that-left-several-soldiers-missing.html

PointB:


“We understand they were shocked that we got to know about the incident. We stand by our story, and we will provide further details as necessary.”
- Premium Times.

They simply foil the military's attempt to cover the loss. That's what journalist do, uncover and report!

ALEBS:


Yes, the military did confirm later that there was indeed and attack. They never denied that.

By the way, Premium Times never at any time claimed that any soldier died or was captured. Why is it convenient for you to believe the first report from Premium Times and then disregard a latter report from them?

You're the one deceiving yourself here, hoping to hear of the death of the 'missing' soldiers and was disappointed that nothing of such happened.

Acceptance
“I have spoken with the CO (commanding officer) there even this morning and I have not heard anything of such from him. Yes, we went to Gudumbali and we were attacked and we repelled them and we are currently sorting out the situation. In war anything can happen and the operation is ongoing.”


Denial
However, later on Thursday evening, the military issued a statement describing the report of the attack as a product of “the imagination of those sympathetic to Boko Haram ways of life.”

FROM DIRECTORATE OF ARMY PUBLIC RELATIONS



PRESS RELEASE:ALERT ON IMPENDING SMEAR CAMPAIGN BY SOME DISGRUNTLED ELEMENTS 23 NOVEMBER, 2015

The Nigerian Army has received report of some elements both within the Nigerian Army and outside, especially through the use of the social media circle to ridicule the Nigerian Army and the person of the Chief of Army Staff for reasons best known to them. They intend to execute this plan as from next month, December 2015, using all means possible; lies, fabricating baseless stories, falsehood, publishing and broadcasting them through some designated print and electronic media, most especially the Social Media.
The Nigerian Army has identified some of the officers involved and their collaborators. The officers are being investigated to unravel their motive and motivation. The public and the media are please requested to be careful and wary of these disgruntled persons. They should please disregard any such material from them.

The Nigerian Army holds the media in high esteem. The Nigerian media is one of the best in the world and have consistently been partners in progress and very supportive, understanding and cooperative with the Nigerian Army especially in the fight against terrorism and insurgency. This at times comes at the risk of their personal safety and corporate existence.

The role of the media in nation building and conflict resolution, peace building and social responsibility is never in doubt. They have proven to be very important stakeholders in our collective efforts to restore peace and stability in our great nation.

With this and so many other things, the media, especially the online publications, should not be involved or lured into such dubious campaign. As always, our doors are open for clarification, enquiries and reactions on any issue concerning the Nigerian Army before filing or publicizing such stories.

It is imperative to note that the fight against Boko Haram terrorists is at critical stage, any attack on the Nigerian Army will be counter productive and serious distraction on the fight against terrorism and insurgency. More so, as we are busy trying to defeat Boko Haram terrorists based on the given presidential mandate.

Consequent upon this, we are calling on all Nigerians not to fall prey to their campaign of calumny. This is because their evil intents would be distractive and capable of reversing the gains on the fight against Boko Haram Terrorists.

Therefore, all hands must be on deck to ensure the defeat of Boko Haram terrorists and safety of lives and property in our country before the end of the year.

Thank you.

SANI KUKASHEKA USMAN Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations

PointB:


Either you can't read or you don't comprehend. Whichever the case, it's not helping you cause. Please take a deep breath, breath out, and read slowly:



So did the military deny the attack or not?

ALEBS:


You seem to be the one who can't comprehend here. The military admitted that there was an attack, but denied the magnitude of what was being portrayed in the media. How's that a contradiction?

Also later on Thursday night, Mr. Usman, circulated another statement, describing the incident in Gudunbali as a “slight setback”.

PointB:



So what's the magnitude of casualty? Why are they not providing it if it's not as high as claimed by reporters?

maupe:
The OP made some valid points and there could be a case of over exaggerated facts, but one thing still remains clear. The fact that there was an attack on that division, some soldiers were killed in the assault, and an unknown number of corpses were buried by the military in secret. Even the military, has come out to testify on that. In the days ahead, we will know more about this bizarre story.

ALEBS:


You really think soldiers who die in battle are buried secretly? It doesn't happen like that in the military.

ALEBS:


Isn't it funny you guys want us to believe that there is a cover-up, yet the military would display their bodies openly?