The defence headquarters has dismissed media reports of mutiny in 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, Borno state. The soldiers were alleged to have mutinied in their barracks against their general officer commanding, Major General Abubakar Mohammed on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 leaving his bodyguards and aids wounded.
The director of defence information, Major General Chris Olukolade dismissed the rumours stating that there is calm in Maiduguri.
He said: “The rumour making the rounds that Maiduguri is boiling as a result of insurrection by troops is unfounded. The fact of the matter is that troops on patrol around Chibok were ambushed by insurgents yesterday. Troops engaged the insurgents in a fierce combat and extricated themselves from the ambush killing several insurgents. Four soldiers however lost their lives during the ambush.
“On evacuation of the remains of the fallen troops, the General Officer Commanding addressed the troops who registered their anger about the incident by firing into the air. The situation has since been brought under control as there is calm in the cantonment and all normal operational activities are ongoing.
“Meanwhile, the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army is to institute a military board of inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the conduct of soldiers who fired some shots.”
