http://thenationonlineng.net/attackers-disguised-friendly-soldiers/

By: Duku JOEL, Maiduguri On: November 24, 2018

Indications emerged yesterday that the attack on troops by Boko Haram insurgents at Metele village, Guzamala Local Government Area, Borno State, which claimed many lives on Sunday, was possible because the attackers disguised as friendly soldiers.

A soldier, who escaped the attack by a whisker, said an advanced team of the insurgents had come into the base as friendly forces and went into the office of the commander where they fired him and five other soldiers that were with him in the office.

According to the source, the troops became confused when they heard the sound of gunshots from their commander’s office.

He said: “We saw some people dressed in full military uniform who came into our camp, but we thought they were friendly forces.

“They went straight to the office of our commander and shortly after, there were gunshots in the office.

“We became confused, waiting for orders but it was too late. Boko Haram had already surrendered us.

“They killed the commander with five other soldiers that were with him in the office.

“Before we knew it, there was heavy fire from Boko Haram from all sides of the camp with more fire at the entrance.

“One of our anti-bomb vehicles tried to charge through the barbwire but got hooked. It was a terrible fight.

“We couldn’t do much because their number and fire power were more than our own.”

Meanwhile, the army command in Maiduguri has evacuated the bodies of the soldiers that were killed by Boko Haram insurgents.

A military source disclosed that more than 70 bodies were evacuated to Maiduguri by the military after the Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole and the GOC, 7 Div yesterday went to Monguno and strategised on recovering the bodies.

The Nation checks revealed that the first rescue and evacuation team was foiled after Boko Haram launched an attack on them and they were forced to withdraw.

The military source who spoke on condition of anonymity said more than 100 soldiers were feared dead in the Metele attack.

He added: “As at today, the bodies of some of the dead soldiers have been evacuated and brought to Maiduguri. More than 70 bodies have been brought, but I am sure many may not have been recovered.

“I am not sure, but the soldiers that died in that attack will be more than 100.”

The Nation could not verify the story with the army authorities yesterday as calls and text messages to the Army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Chukwu Texas, were not responded to.

The Nation checks also revealed that Boko Haram has sacked six military formations from that axis since September, each coming with a heavy casualties on the side of the Nigerian troops.

It will be recalled that Nigerian troops in Metele suffered a similar attack in September this year when about 18 Nigeria soldiers were killed while another 151 soldiers and six officers were declared missing in the same area in another devastating attack on 157 Battalion on October 8, 2018.

However, the official figure released by the military was that only seven soldiers were killed while 16 others were injured. They claimed to have killed at least 76 Boko Haram fighters in Metele as at then.

Mynd44
OAM4J

This is one attack too many ,i think the leadership of Nigeria Army have not done enough in protecting our troops , how on earth can boko haram have superior firearms than Nigeria Army . Nigeria leaders should understand this guys are some one son ,father , husband ,wife etc . In a normal country all the service chiefs will resign This is purely failure of intelligence on the part the Nigeria Army ,and also a possibility an insider working with them the enemies . RIP TO THESE GREAT MEN AND WOMEN .HOW CAN A LEADERSHIP THAT CAN PROTECT HIS ARMY PROTECT HIS NATION IF THESE GUY CAN KILL 100 ARMY ,THEY CAN KILLED 100K CIVILIANS . GOD HELP US IN THESE COUNTRY .

The way this Boko Haram is slapping Nigeria army left right and center, e be like even Cameroon fit beat us for war o

Equip these boys and see them perform magic. Buhari should stop all these his one sided fight against corruption. He promised to lead the fight against Boko Haram from the frontline but he has not done that.

To lie and cover is always easy for this gov. Tufia

News like this do not make me rule out d possibilities of a military coup..

Were the over 100 soldiers not carrying guns with live bullets abi they are only trained to shoot at unharmed protesters.

The most importantly responsibility of any government is to provide security for its citizens. It is rather sad that successive governments in this country failed to adequately equip our military and also take care of their welfare.
It is even more sad that APC government and PMB chooses to play politics with the issue of Boko Haram by lying and given its citizens a false sense of security.
It is callous to send soldiers to the battle field without giving them adequate equipment and logistic supports.

It is gross wickedness to deprive the departed soldiers heroic burial and national recognition by trying to hide from Nigerians the truth about their death.
What justification will the presidency have for not not making a statement about this national disaster!

Gej was always changing coas during his time to giv room for fresh ideas in dis fight against bht. But buhari sure has a grand plan.
Our soldiers r bn killed like flies.

Imagine! Oh! Them no give you good weapons, infact insufficient ammunition and if you no gree go do mission them go court martial you! Chai! What kind of slavery is that.

Change all service chief, APC no hear! Ensure federal character is represented, NO! I don't mean to sound like "Tribal Bigot" but this is the first time an Igbo is not one of the service chiefs and Army is suffering this kind of massacre.

How can rebels be beating our troops like this when its not like we are in a civil war of some sort... This is portraying bad image to other countries in Africa that we are gnats of Africa....

Honestly, Buhari no be am at all... Quota system general