A yet unknown number of Nigerian soldiers drowned in the Yobe River in North-East Nigeria as they tried to escape intense fire from Boko Haram fighters on Monday, PREMIUM TIMES can authoritatively report. Also, no fewer than 22 soldiers are currently recuperating in a hospital in neighbouring Niger Republic following the attack. The troops were manning an outpost in Gashigar, Borno State, near the border with Niger, when hundreds of terrorists advanced rapidly towards them, forcing the troops to abandon their position with some diving into the nearby river, top military sources familiar with the development told PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday. The Nigerian Army had on Tuesday distributed a statement announcing the assault on Nigerian troops, but blamed it on “escaping Boko Haram remnants.” But a day after the statement, which was signed by Sani Usman, a colonel, details of what actually transpired on the battlefield that day and the reaction of commanders on the ground have been exclusively obtained by PREMIUM TIMES. According to the security sources, the soldiers, attached to 145 Task Force Battalion, came under attack around 5:00 p.m. on Monday, but rescue operation did not yield result until the next day. On that Tuesday, three rescue operations were carried out by soldiers from the neighbouring Republic of Niger operating in Ngarwa. Around 7:00 a.m., they rescued the first set of nine Nigerian soldiers. At about 2:00 p.m., seven more were rescued. The last set of six troops was rescued around 5:30 p.m. in the River Komadougou Yobe, which empties into Lake Chad through Niger. The troops, numbering 22, were dispatched to Diffa General Hospital in Niger. Two of them sustained gunshot wounds while the rest were said to have been rescued unscathed. The casualty figure, including those who drowned, was yet to be determined as at the time of filing this report. The sources said the troops have started recounting the incident to their superiors. The soldiers said they were manning their post in Gashigar when they learnt that suspected terrorists, dressed in black and multi-coloured camouflage, were approaching in several utility trucks while chanting ‘Allah Akbar!’ (Allah is great). “Troops then had to flee from their position because of their their inability to take on the terrorists in such a large number and firepower,” one of our sources said. “The terrorists then began chasing them, and we learnt that many jumped into the Yobe River where some of them drown or get fatally shot by the attackers.” The soldiers also said Boko Haram seized their armoured vehicle and set it alight. But the sources said the military leadership might open an investigation into the attacks to establish the claims of the soldiers. One source said some of the claims made by the troops were doubtful. For instance, the commanders said it is difficult to explain how utility trucks were used to dispossess soldiers of their armoured vehicles especially when the soldiers said they were standing alert in their position. The leadership also found it curious that the soldiers were rescued with their bullets still largely unspent. “If they actually came under attack while they were fully at alert, then they should have exhausted their ammunition before taking to their heels,” the source said. “At least that much should be clear.” Mr. Usman did not respond to PREMIUM TIMES’ requests for comments. Nigerian troops are fighting alongside their counterparts from Cameroon and the Republic of Niger. Monday’s development marked the first time in more than two years that Nigerian troops would come under superior firepower that required foreign military personnel to come to counter. A similar incident last occurred in August 2014 when about 480 troops crossed the border into Cameroon while fleeing Boko Haram. It also underscored the renewed vigour of the sect to launch major attacks on not just civilians but uniformed men after losing the huge swathes of land it once controlled. Besides losing territory, the insurgents had also been largely decimated by the troops which experts said is responsible for their activities being whittled down across their stronghold in the northeast. The insurgency, which began in 2009, has left approximately 20,000 people dead and displacement of millions. Boko Haram leaders recently engaged in negotiation with the Nigerian government which led to last week’s release of 21 of the over 200 girls kidnapped from Chibok, Borno State, in April 2014. Troops gun down 4 cattle rustlers, arrest 3 kidnappers Ekitigate: Obanikoro is compromised, Fayose says in reaction to ex-ministers alleged confessions Dasukigate Court Drama: EFCC witness says AIT boss Dokpesi got N2.1 billion through due process JUST IN: Released 21 Chibok girls, parents arrive Aso Villa for meeting with Buhari EFCC seeks cut from recovered loot Supreme Court Judge accuses Amaechi, APC of attempt to manipulate judgement Senate should be scrapped, Buhari’s nominee insists $15 million: Patience Jonathan sues Nigeria rights’ group Judge accused of corruption shuns EFCC summons

232 Killed in Iraq as Mosul Fighting Heats Up by Margaret Griffis , October 19, 2016 Print This | Share This On Wednesday, the Popular Mobilization Forces declared it would be supporting Iraqi troops in the Tal Afar area as part of the operation on Mosul. Taking Tal Afar would cut off an escape route for the Islamic State militants fleeing Mosul. Separately, Moscow voiced its belief that militants must be stopped before reaching safety in Syria. This umbrella group of Shi’ite militias also announced they would be supporting troops entering Mosul. Major General Gary Volesky, the commander of U.S.-led coalition ground forces warned the Coalition would not support the militiamen. However, this could be a repeat of the battle for Fallujah earlier this year. U.S. authorities insisted that militias stay out of Fallujah, but the militiamen did not. The list of war crimes there is long. This time, the P.M.L. was supposedly being sent to Hawija specifically to keep them out of the Mosul arena. The decision came after tough negotiations in Baghdad. It is unclear why a group of militiamen is not following their orders. Meanwhile, Army General Joseph Votel , commander of U.S. Central Command said that the operation in Mosul could take months to complete, depending on how vigorously Daesh militants defend themselves. He reported significant resistance in Mosul’s outlying areas. Authorities estimate that about 5,000 to 6,000 Daesh fighters are left in Mosul, but their leaders may already be abandoning them. Also, thousands of refugees have arrived in Syria , and thousands more are waiting their chance to cross the border. Refugee centers are planning for as many as 100,000 refugees. Iraqi forces retook Bakr , Najma , Osmaniyah Rafla , Siewah , and Zawiya . Shi’ite militiamen captured Bayda , Khirbet Hadid , and Shami . Shura and Tel al-Samn were also reported freed. To the south, the road between Haditha and Baiji has been completely cleared of militants. Special forces have arrived in Bartala . There are reports of snipers attacking militants in Mosul. At least 232 people were killed and four were wounded. In Houd , a militant shot and killed a man parading around with an Iraqi flag. This prompted the town to rebel against the militants. Reporters saw at least five bodies, but many more militants could have been killed. A man reported that his father was killed in the uprising. Militants executed 16 people in Azba on charges of spying. A failed attack on Sinjar left four Peshmerga wounded and 47 militants dead. Security forces killed at least 96 militants on the southern front. A suicide bomber blew himself up among Daesh members trying to flee to Syria. In Jouna, security forces killed 21 militants. Twenty-one militants were killed in clashes with federal police in Bojwana. Strikes left 15 militants dead in Qayara . In Mosul , resistance forces killed five militants In Qayara and Hamdaniya , security forces killed two militant leaders . A militant commander was killed in Begawan. Mortars left several casualties among security personnel.

africaken254:
off topic:it seems morocco is serious about rejoining Africa union,after leaving 32 years ago

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=906ub_m61i8

They and other N.African countries officially state they are part of the Middle East

Nigerian Chief of Naval Staff visits navy formations in the N.E

africaken254:
egyptian army going after ISIS in sinai

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRoEiwUOmsI

LOL

Those dumbfucks getting caught on thermals

Tinfoil:


They and other N.African countries officially state they are part of the Middle East

it seems the issue of disputed western sahara which lead to morocco withdrawing itself from OAU,may be also what is driving morocco to aggressively reengage african countries and rejoin A.U

Nigerian navy NNS Karaduwa(P102)

Does the air-force support troops on battlefield? Most stories about NAF includes going on offensive then the ground troops will come in. The only time I heard about the NAF supporting the troops was when BHT tried to take over maiduguri.
This is why the Nigerian Army needs to have her own air assault arm.

Djibouti elite police

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWGe7EaMbkg

nemesis2u:


u give the impression that only china has copyright to copy

iran has a good civilian industrial capability which is reflected on its defense industry including reverse engg .

it was because of Iran that china ended up with kh55 tech among others.

what I mean is that could be license built or assembly in Iran., but not sort of a "copy" China usually did

frumentius:
Throw-back Thursday 1:

With the war in Angola just concluded, Spetsnaz of the Russian Angola Veterans Union invited the Recce over as a sign of mutual respect and admiration among former adversaries.

I didn't know such existed, interesting.... But why ain't the black Recces not wearing the snake skin?

ActivateKruger:


Hehehe, Iran makes sofistated weaponry so why can't they make an MRAP? Even Nigeria is making them these days.

assembly is "make"

frumentius:
and fin.

I know a former MK who said they once encountered Recce operator in Mozambique using that bicycle (on civilian clothing) in the 80s. He claim they executive him on the spot.

chinese8107:

assembly is "make"

Henry240, talk to this guy.

Henry240:
Nigerian navy NNS Karaduwa(P102)

Clean deck

Here we go again. Incompetence rears its ugly head.

[quote author=sheyiofficial post=50359901]A yet unknown number of
Nigerian soldiers drowned in
the Yobe River in North-East
Nigeria as they tried to escape
intense fire from Boko Haram
fighters on Monday, PREMIUM
TIMES can authoritatively
report.

SA Navy Frigate

ActivateKruger:


Clean deck

Still a new 40 meters Seaward Defence Boat for the navy. I reckon it hasn't yet gone out on many patrols yet.

Commentators @ Sheyi and Deway
Please exercise a little bit of patience about the incident 15 miles from the border with Niger, agreed something bad/ terrible happened .Premium times most of the time is credit worthy, however we honestly don't know whom their sources are, the Nigerian Army as usual is doing a horrible job handling an already tense situation by withholding what they know, this however might not be unconnected with the fact that some Soldiers are still missing.
The Nigerian army needs to be more forthcoming or else we are going to continue to see this breathless anonymous not allowed to speak on the record or even worse.
I hope and pray that all hands are on Deck to rescue/ recover all the missing areas and a thorough investigation as to what really happened and who was in command of this unit.

Throwback Thursday.



Nigerian Air Force MI-34c

ActivateKruger:


Henry240, talk to this guy.

China stars from assembly or unauthorized copy

ActivateKruger:


I know a former MK who said they once encountered Recce operator in Mozambique using that bicycle (on civilian clothing) in the 80s. He claim they executive him on the spot.

Such stories should be taken with a pinch of salt.

africaken254:
@chinese8107 i highly suspect your are one of the south africa forum members.which nairaland could track members I.P to see who is giving false locations

he is Chinese from china 100% confirmed.

be thankful u have him. if the other Chinese who operate in waves were to be present here, u all will be running to save ur lives from this forum.

as the pirates say
"let the sleeping devils lie still unless u have a death wish"

LTGEN, your words of wisdom are noted.

LTGEN:
Commentators @ Sheyi and Deway
Please exercise a little bit of patience about the incident 15 miles from the border with Niger, agreed something bad/ terrible happened .Premium times most of the time is credit worthy, however we honestly don't know whom their sources are, the Nigerian Army as usual is doing a horrible job handling an already tense situation by withholding what they know, this however might not be unconnected with the fact that some Soldiers are still missing.
The Nigerian army needs to be more forthcoming or else we are going to continue to see this breathless anonymous not allowed to speak on the record or even worse.
I hope and pray that all hands are on Deck to rescue/ recover all the missing areas and a thorough investigation as to what really happened and who was in command of this unit.

MikeCZA:
Such stories should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Oh well he didn't mention the word "Recce", however he said it was an SADF hitman which made me conclude it was a Recce on recon or to eliminate a high value MK target in Mozas.... He goes on mentioning what the "hitman" was wearing, the bicycle and also had a big-lensed camera posing as a foreign tourist.

Normally I don't take former MK claims seriously, they normally brag about their incompetence. But this guy sounded very real, he could flawlessly recall names of the other MK members he was with and how the "hitman's" cover was blown.


As you know, the Recce has plenty of botched operations. We only know those where an operator was captured alive and the enemy made it public ( eg Cabinda and Zimbabwe), the ones where operators were killed and bodies not recovered are kept in secrecy and the enemy couldn't provide a direct tangible link with the SADF as they often wore Cuban, SWAPO or Tanzanian uniform when operating deep inside ET.

Henry240:
Throwback Thursday.



Nigerian Air Force MI-34c

Why were they sold

jteku:


Why were they sold

Attrition.

tdayof:
Does the air-force support troops on battlefield? Most stories about NAF includes going on offensive then the ground troops will come in. The only time I heard about the NAF supporting the troops was when BHT tried to take over maiduguri.
This is why the Nigerian Army needs to have her own air assault arm.

Nice point u just raised. Sometimes one will read news that BHT attack over a military lasted for several hours and you begin to wonder why they didn't call in for an airstrike.
The reality is that our Airforce barely undertake any supportive role in active combat scene, perhaps, for the fear of being shot down by the terrorist 's Anti-Aircraft Gun.

sudan land cruiser technical

Xbee007:
Nice point u just raised. Sometimes one will read news that BHT attack over a military lasted for several hours and you begin to wonder why they didn't call in for an airstrike.
The reality is that our Airforce barely undertake any supportive role in active combat scene, perhaps, for the fear of being shot down by the terrorist 's Anti-Aircraft Gun.

you might be right also in my opinion another issue with Close air support that NAF might be considering is blue on blue attack.