The Nigerian Army under the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, has dismissed reports claiming that more than 40 soldiers were killed during recent Boko Haram attacks in Borno State.
The army described the reports circulating online as exaggerated and misleading, urging the public to disregard them.
In a statement on Sunday, the spokesman of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, said the report relied on unverified sources and was aimed at undermining the morale of troops fighting insurgents in the North-East.
According to him, the attacks occurred when remnants of Boko Haram terrorists, dislodged from Sambisa Forest during sustained military offensives, regrouped and launched coordinated night attacks on vulnerable communities and troops’ locations around Konduga, Ngoshe, Mainok and Jakana areas of Borno.
Uba said troops responded swiftly and fought gallantly to repel the attackers while defending the affected communities.
He noted that several terrorists were neutralised during the intense engagements.
“Sadly, a Commanding Officer and some brave soldiers paid the supreme price while courageously confronting the attackers and preventing further devastation on other communities,” the statement said.
He added that contrary to the reports, troops were not overrun but engaged the terrorists from multiple fronts in a determined effort to protect civilians and restore normalcy.
The spokesman also said the attackers used indiscriminate explosives and heavy night gunfire, which led to civilian casualties as some residents were caught in crossfire created by the terrorists’ actions.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has visited the theatre of operations in Maiduguri to assess the operational situation and meet with troops and commanders.
During the visit, he directed the immediate reinforcement of troops and deployment of additional equipment to the affected areas to sustain ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
The Nigerian Army assured Nigerians that it would maintain operational momentum until all terrorist elements are completely neutralised.
