President Muhammadu Buhari has called for a review session with all security Chiefs,following the reports of the death of soldiers, killed by Boko Haram a few days back.
The Personal Assistant on New media Mr Bashir Ahmad who released the information a few hours ago,said that the President has been saddened by the news of the deaths of soldiers, and has called for an emergency meeting. He said:
“After receiving briefing from Minister of Defence yesterday, on security development across the country particularly the recent Boko Haram’s renewed attacks on military bases in the North-East, President Muhammadu Buhari
has summoned all the Service Chiefs for a review session.
Worried by Boko Haram’s renewed attacks on military bases in the North-East, President Muhammadu Buhari
has sent the Minister of Defence, Brig-Gen Mansur Dan Ali (rtd), to the neighbouring Republic of Chad for an urgent meeting with President Idris Deby and his defence counterpart”
Although we still do not have an official figure or any figure at all from from presidency or the Army, as to the number of soldiers killed, the Nigeria Army has denied reports saying 100 soldiers died and the video circulating social media which they called Propaganda by the Boko Haram group. Their statement reads:
attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to several social media, print, electronic and online publications about the recent attack on 157 Task Force Battalion at Metele. Whilst it is true that there was an attack on the location on 18 November 2018, it has however, become necessary to correct several misinformation being circulated with regards to this unfortunate event.
It is important for the public to note that the Nigerian Army has laid down procedures for reporting incidents that involve its personnel who fall casualty in action. Out of respect for the families of our gallant troops, the Next of Kin (NOKs) are first notified before any form of public information so as to avoid exacerbating the grief family members would bear, were they to discover such from unofficial sources.
Furthermore, it suffices to observe that several social media, print and online publications have been brandishing false casualty figures as well as circulating various footages of old and inaccurate Boko Haram Terrorists prodaganda videos and alluding same to be the attack on 157 Task Force Battalion.
Whilst it is understandable how such misinformation can spread in this era of social media frenzy, the spurious circulation of some of these videos only contribute to further propagate the propaganda intent of the terrorists; to misinform the populace and portray themselves as what they are not.
So far, the situation is that the location is under control as reinforcing units have been able to repel the terrorists and stabilize the situation.
The Nigerian Army sincerely, wishes to thank the various arms of government, MDAs and sister security agencies that have stood with her in these trying times; by commiserating with the families of the fallen heroes who have paid the supreme price for the defence of our dearly beloved country.
The necessary support being given the Nigerian Army by the Federal Government and the goodwill of the Nigerian populace will undoubtedly continue to spur the Nigerian Army towards the ultimate defeat of the highly degraded Boko Haram Terrorits.