Concerns mount over fate of $1bn arms purchase fund

By Kingsley Nwezeh with agency reports

At least 12 Nigerian soldiers were killed and dozens of others are missing after fighting with Islamists in Borno State, three military sources said yesterday.

This is coming as the $1billion earmarked for the purchase of arms and ammunition to aid the military in the fight against terrorism in the North-east region is now mired in confusion.


But the army said it repelled the attack in which it said one soldier was killed and another injured. The fighting followed an attack on Friday by insurgents in Gudumbali Local Government Area – a part of Borno where Boko Haram breakaway group Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) is influential.

Reuters quoted sources as saying the poor communication network in the remote area delayed details of the attack being relayed.

The attack, the sources said, was carried out on a military base and a nearby community in the Gudumbali Local Government Area of the state.


The three military sources, all of whom are soldiers who did not want to be named, said at least 12 soldiers were killed and dozens missing after the fighting.

But the army, in an emailed statement, said the insurgents opened fire on troops while aid materials were being distributed in Gudumbali.

“The troops, however, fought gallantly and outmanoeuvred the attackers inflicting heavy casualties on them. Unfortunately, a soldier paid the supreme price during the encounter, while another was wounded in action,” said the army in the statement.


The biggest loss of military life in the last few months occurred in late November when around 100 soldiers were killed by ISWA militants who attacked an army base in Metele, Borno State.

However, sources said 28 militants were killed, while the army reported that it lost less than 40 soldiers.

The North-east is home to two Islamist insurgencies: Boko Haram and ISWA which broke away in 2016 and is now considered by security experts to be the stronger of the two.

The federal government in June ordered thousands of people who fled the conflict with Boko Haram to return to Gudumbali, one of the most dangerous areas of northeast Nigeria. Officials cut off food and other aid to those who refused.

Meanwhile, the $1billion earmarked for the purchase of arms and ammunition to aid the military in the fight against terrorism in the North-east region is now mired in confusion.

This is coming as a group, Society for Good Governance (SGG), accused the federal government and state governors of playing politics with such an important national intervention, the absence of which has led to death of many soldiers in the North-east region.

It said if government could not account for the $1 billion security fund for Boko Haram, “then our position is that it has been diverted for the purposes of 2019 elections, and we will be left with no other option than to seek legal redress.”

The mystery is located in the fact that several government agencies and institutions have all denied accessing the fund.

The denial is coming as hundreds of soldiers have died owing to lack of equipment and inadequate salaries and allowances for those fighting in the war front as claimed by some soldiers who survived the Metele attack.

In the heat of the Metele attack by insurgents in Borno State, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Buratai, informed a bewildered country that the Nigerian Army was yet to receive any fund or equipment purchased from the fund.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/12/17/12-soldiers-killed-dozens-missing-in-battle-with-insurgents/%3famp

Buhari is a curse to humanity

useless Jubrin

So boko haram is still technically active

What did they do with the 1 billion dollars??

Jubril and Nigerian Army are scammers

good

Buhari led well from the "front".

The troops, however, fought gallantly and outmanoeuvred the attackers inflicting heavy casualties on them. Unfortunately, a soldier paid the supreme price during the encounter, while another was wounded in action,” said the army in the statement.

We need to know which is the truth between the healdine and the content of the News.
Our soldiers must be protected.
In as much as even the top countries in the world are fighting terrorism till today, we must continue to put more effort to curb this insolence.
We are with you our GALLANT SOLDIERS as you put yourself on the war front for peace to reign in our nation.

Buhari is a failure

BMC una see ham life

Again. Rip to the slain

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I have great respect for these soldiers, I barely recognize the national anthem not to mention dying for Nigeria, rather use myself for ritual, at least that would be worth something

i still cant believe i share the same birthdate with the liveless man in aso rock..
happy birthday to myself and the liveless dude from sudan...

Na wa oo.
If I were a soldier and I get posted to Borno,I go jus resign or desert.

The increase in BH attacks on the army shows some desperate politicians are responsible for this acts as the election is getting close

As usual. I pity the women who are made widows and the children who are turned into orphans on a daily basis in this lie lie fight with insurgents.

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Bokoharam using Python dancers for sacrifice...

What my own business sef.

[img]https:///media/12-16-2018/PpAEHK.gif[/img]

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.The North are hypocrites. You can all see that they are silent. They can't criticize PMB on this.
But during the last administration, they are like "Jonathan is killing us in the North".

North is the region slowing Nigeria down. They are ethnic and Religious bigots.
They claim to be religious but honestly they are not being Just.

Well its just a mata of days... Election will come..... Four years enslaved.

deboysben:
Buhari is a curse to humanity

Shut up

Joining the army is like a death sentence at this trying period.

This is the North that loves Buhari soooooo much!
Where foreign jihadists are taking over the Northern Nigerian borders and a USELESS NIGERIAN ARMY FORCE?

Buhari is not trending in Nigeria. . . . Only with the CABAL!

Some people would tell me at least they're not attacking cities, towns and citizens; Like the soldiers are robots that don't have state of origins or families.
This is becoming out of hand

CHAI AND LIE MOHAMMED WITG HIS BROTHER SAID THEY HAVE TECHNICALLY DEFEAT DEM.

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Buhari remains a failure


Only fools support this government

Foolish soldiers that cant organise and execute a coup

Cowardly Nigerian Army.

$1billion stolen

Jonathan:

Shut up

Buhari is synonymous to death

Death everywhere

Useless government that claims to be fighting corruption. Now corruption is fighting back at them. Jibril must be exposed and arrested along side all those who imposed a stranger on Nigeria just to hold on to power. God save Nigeria.