An unknown number of Nigerian soldiers are yet to be accounted for after an ambush by Boko Haram insurgents in a community in Borno State, on Thursday, July 21, 2016, the Army has said.
However, some of the soldiers who were reported to be missing in action after the ambush have been reportedly found, according to a fresh statement from the Army today, Saturday, July 23, 2016.
The Army had in an earlier statement on Thursday night, confirmed the ambush, stating that it was battling to save the lives of 19 other soldiers injured during the clash on.
The ambush surfaced after the soldiers were involved in a successful raid of the terrorist camps, where they recovered many types of ammunition.
“However, the gallant soldiers basking on the recorded success, returning to their defensive locations, ran into an ambush by a group of Boko Haram terrorists who came to reinforce their fleeing comrades. The troops fought back gallantly killing several of the insurgents,” Sani Usman, the Army spokesman, said on Thursday.
“Sadly however, 19 soldiers and 3 civilian JTF members were wounded in action while a few others were missing in action.
“The wounded have been evacuated and are responding to treatment, while a search and rescue party comprising of Special Forces personnel has since been dispatched to establish contact with the missing in action troops, some of whom, as at the time of filing this report, have started returning to their defensive location.
“It is pertinent to state that, no stone would be left unturned until every person involved in the operation has been accounted for,” he said.
It appears that the search for the missing soldiers is yielding positive results, according to a statement released by the Army spokesperson today, Saturday, July 23, 2016, stating that five soldiers have been found by the search team.
“We wish to inform you that the search party has this morning found 5 more officers and soldiers that were declared missing in action, including the unit’s Commanding Officer,” Usman said.
“Although they are in a stable condition, they have been moved to our medical facilities for medical care.” He added.
