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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / Army Officials In Contradictory Claims To Cover Up of missing Soldiers story (1473 Views)
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Army Officials In Contradictory Claims To Cover Up of missing Soldiers story by Monimatic(m): 4:38pm On Nov 20, 2015 |
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.” 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?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter
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Re: Army Officials In Contradictory Claims To Cover Up of missing Soldiers story by Nobody: 4:47pm On Nov 20, 2015 |
A house divided against itself... Suppose bh is to be anihilated in two months? |
Re: Army Officials In Contradictory Claims To Cover Up of missing Soldiers story by ahaika23: 4:49pm On Nov 20, 2015 |
The matter don de come out small small ehhhhh. Boko must do video with the army na, abi no be shekau again? |
Re: Army Officials In Contradictory Claims To Cover Up of missing Soldiers story by Hero10001: 4:53pm On Nov 20, 2015 |
No more lies, we've seen the pics of the dead soldiers already. |
Re: Army Officials In Contradictory Claims To Cover Up of missing Soldiers story by mirabel001(f): 4:56pm On Nov 20, 2015 |
lol...dis zoo is a joke....d zoogeria army is as useless as poo 1 Like |
Re: Army Officials In Contradictory Claims To Cover Up of missing Soldiers story by chronique(m): 5:02pm On Nov 20, 2015 |
May God help us as a nation. It's sad to know this is happening in Nigeria. |
Re: Army Officials In Contradictory Claims To Cover Up of missing Soldiers story by ProfessorPeter(m): 5:54pm On Nov 20, 2015 |
Shame on Buhari, shame on APC. Shame on Buratai. Losing 105 in a single battle is shame. My advice is that the names of those dead soldiers must be published, panel of enquiring must be setup to ascertain what happened, anyone find culpable should be punished and state burial should be given to them 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Army Officials In Contradictory Claims To Cover Up of missing Soldiers story by TRUTHTOPOWER: 5:57pm On Nov 20, 2015 |
The last statement from the Command clearly stated that the troops were back at the base after the set back. For the purpose of your propaganda, you would rather spread the rumor of death and disappearance. This is a folly for you because soldiers missing and disappearing in front line is a mark of heroism. it is a salutary departure from the era of missing civilians and mutiny! |
Re: Army Officials In Contradictory Claims To Cover Up of missing Soldiers story by mazzi: 6:30pm On Nov 20, 2015 |
Shame |
Re: Army Officials In Contradictory Claims To Cover Up of missing Soldiers story by Nelson05(m): 6:52pm On Nov 20, 2015 |
God when will dis horror film be over? |
Re: Army Officials In Contradictory Claims To Cover Up of missing Soldiers story by SHOPPERS(m): 7:34pm On Nov 20, 2015 |
TRUTHTOPOWER: Can you please tell Buratai to make a roll call and tell us exactly the number of Casualties? Agreed, the number was overblown, but what is the real number? I'm sure these will be your questions if it were to be during Blessed GEJ's time |
Re: Army Officials In Contradictory Claims To Cover Up of missing Soldiers story by luvinhubby(m): 8:31pm On Nov 20, 2015 |
TRUTHTOPOWER:So it is propaganda now.... TRUTHTOPOWER:So it is propaganda now? Laughing at the profuse sweating of you guys defending the glaring lapses of this current regime. |
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