Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja



The Nigerian Army has organised a private burial for over 100 officers and soldiers killed during terrorist attacks on Nigerian Army 157 Task Force Battalion last month, The PUNCH has learnt.

Our correspondent was told by one of the widows of the officers that the burial would take place in Maiduguri on Friday.

It was, however, learnt that the army wanted the event to be private so that the real number of slain soldiers will not be known.

One of the widows who did not wish to be identified said, “I was invited for the burial of my husband with a few others this Friday in Maiduguri.

“Sincerely, we don’t even know how many will be buried and the army is not giving us any information.”

A colonel, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said the army decided to make the burial private in order to hide the true casualty figure.

He said, “Gen Buratai said only 23 soldiers were killed in the attack. He also put the number of troops wounded in action at 31. However, we all know that is not true. Over 100 were killed and a private burial is now being organised in order not to expose their lies.”

When our correspondent called the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.Gen Sani Usman, for comment, he cut all calls, asking our correspondent to send a text message instead.

However, he refused to respond to a text message sent to him as of press time.

Lt. Col. Ibrahim Sakaba had died alongside over 100 soldiers on November 18, 2018.

His younger brother, Lt. Yakubu Sakaba, was also killed by Boko Haram on October 5, 2014.

In a video circulated recently, soldiers deployed in the war-ravaged North-East blamed obsolete equipment and corruption among top military brass for the massive losses in personnel since the latest attacks on military formations began in July.

The Nigerian Army has organised a private burial for over 100 officers and soldiers killed during terrorist attacks on Nigerian Army 157 Task Force Battalion last month, The PUNCH has learnt.

.. ......It was, however, learnt that the army wanted the event to be private so that the real number of slain soldiers will not be known...."

Galaxyowerri:
In the UK yesterday, there were calls for the prime minister, Theresa May to resign because some people in the UK are not happy with the way she is handling the brexit, same thing is happening to Macron in France over something as little as increment of diesel price!!! But in Nigeria, an old man who has failed in all ramifications still has the effrontery to be going for reelection and as if that is not enough madness already, there are still some re.tar.ded people who are still supporting him!!

On what basis is Buhari going for reelection in the light of all his failures??

Nigerians are some of the worst citizens any country can have and it is not a surprise that we have become the world's capital of poverty, diseases, illiteracy, deaths etc and this is because both the government and the citizens are grossly irresponsible.

If only a fraction of all these madness were to happen in sane climes, the president would have long resigned or forced to do so but here he is still on his seat like nothing is happening and is even going for reelection and promising them next level Next level of what please If the current level is this bad, how will the next level be

IT SULKS TO BE A NIGERIAN!!!!!

FarahAideed:
Over 200 soldiers dies yet you said it's 23 that died and now you have to do a a secret burial hide your lies

He said, “Gen Buratai said only 23 soldiers were killed in the attack. He also put the number of troops wounded in action at 31. However, we all know that is not true. Over 100 were killed and a private burial is now being organised in order not to expose their lies.”