Maiduguri
– No fewer than 23 Nigerian soldiers are yet to be accounted for after Boko
Haram insurgents ambushed a military convoy at Boboshe village in Bama local
government area of Borno.
Special Military bike riders clearing the way for the Acting
President Yemi Osinbajo during his arrival for the inauguration of the Federal
Government’s Emergency Food Intervention in the North-East, at Maidiguri on
Thursday
Five officers, 18 soldiers and 8 trucks were missing after the attack which occurred early on Saturday.
Acting on intelligence, mobilised troops in a convoy of 11
trucks to clear the insurgents from the deserted village.
The attacking insurgents were believed to have been those who
escaped the ongoing offensive by the military to flush out the Boko Haram
terrorists in the fringes of Sambisa Forest and Lake Chad region.
A competent military source, told NAN that the insurgents in
their hundreds ambushed the troops and in the process many of them have been
missing.
He disclosed that only three of the 11 trucks deployed to the
area returned to their base in Maiduguri, after suffering huge loss in the
battle with the insurgents.
“There was a quick response by the army when they received
reports that hundreds of the insurgents gathered at Boboshe on
Maiduguri-Konduga-Bama road.
“The gallant soldiers were ambushed by the insurgents, only
three of the 11 trucks returned to the base.
“It is not clear what happened but it was assumed the soldiers
were missing following the ambush,” he added.
Meanwhile, residents of Jilli community in Gubio local
government council of Borno, on Saturday fled the town sequel to an attack by
Boko Haram insurgents.
It was learnt that the insurgent attacked the area from the axis
of Lake Chad, forcing the residents to flee.
Malam Bukar Mustapha, one of the residents, told NAN that he and
other villagers fled their homes when they received report that the insurgents
were coming to attack them.
“In the afternoon on Saturday, we heard that the insurgents
gathered in the nearby bush preparing for the attack.
“I am one of those who ran to Maiduguri, which is about 45
kilometres from my village.
“On Sunday morning, I called Gubio and I was told that the
insurgents had attacked the town during the night time. I do not have the
casualties because the situation is still not clear at Jilli,” Mustapha said.
Another resident who pleaded anonymity said troops had been
deployed to the area. (NAN)
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