The Nigerian Army has repelled an attack launched against it by some suspected Boko Haram terrorists around Chingori communities in Bama area of Borno State, killing 22 of them while others fled with some gunshot injuries and two soldiers injured in the attack.
According to the Nigerian Army spokesperson, and director of public relations, Brigadier General Texas Chukwu in a statement released a few hours ago, said contrary to some media reports, that some soldiers were killed, said nothing of such happened and no soldier was killed or captured by the suspected Boko Haram terrorists.
While condemning the misinformation by some media, he said the attempted attack on troops at Kwakwa and Chingori communities in Bama area of Borno State by suspected Boko Haram Terrorists was as a result of a difficult terrain encountered by the Troops, where operational vehicles bogged down. There was an attempt by suspected terrorists to cart away troops operational vehicles in the process but were successfully repelled by both ground troops and the Nigerian Air Force, killing 22 of the terrorists while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
The Statement as released by the Defence Headquarters in Abuja reads:
“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to news making the round alleging attack on soldiers and capturing of military vehicles by Boko Haram in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
The Nigerian Army wishes to state categorically that the report is not only untrue but misleading as the said report is blown out of proportion by the media.
Contrary to the report, the Nigerian Army wishes to put the record straight on the issue and assure members of the public particularly residents of the North East to disregard the report as their safety is guaranteed.
The Nigeria Army wishes to state that there was an attempted attack on troops at Kwakwa and Chingori communities in Bama area of Borno State by suspected Boko Haram Terrorists as a result of difficult terrain where our vehicles bogged down. The terrorists also attempted to cart away troops operational vehicles but were successfully repelled by our gallant troops with the support of the Nigerian Air Force.
About 22 members of Boko Haram terrorists were neutralized while several others escaped with gunshot wounds. Efforts are being intensified by the troops to get the fleeing members of the Boko Haram terrorists.
Unfortunately, one officer and a soldier sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention at the military medical facility.
While the Nigerian Army would not join issues with the media, certain facts must be reported with caution particularly now that numerous successes have been recorded by the troops in the fight against the insurgency.
Members of the public are hereby advised to disregard the report and go about their legitimate businesses as the Nigerian Army is on top of the situation.
TEXAS CHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations