The Nigerian Army has reportedly dismissed six soldiers from its service for allegedly fleeing from the scene of a Boko Haram attack.
The soldiers attached to the counterinsurgency operation in the North-East, known as “Operation Lafiya Dole” – were said to have fled from the scene of a Boko Haram attack around Damboa, a community in Borno State during the month.
Borno State is one of the terror-ravaged states in Nigeria.
Military sources said that over 10 soldiers were killed during the attack.
However, the Nigerian Army is yet to confirm the attack or acknowledge own casualties.
The six soldiers were dismissed for withdrawing from the war front, one of the sources told investigative news outlet, Sahara Reporters.
Those affected are 19NA/78/0690 PTE OLANIYI EMMANUEL, 20NA/79/3745 PTE MASA’UDU ADAMU, 22NA/82/5192 PTE ABDUL AZEE SALEH, 22NA/82/ 1721 PTE MOHAMMED MOHAMMED, 22NA/82/1191 PTE ADAH TOYE and 22NA/82/1909 PTE HASSAN ABUBAKAR.
The source, however, described the punishment meted out on his colleagues as not right, arguing that they left the battlefield after running out of ammunition during the fight with the terrorists.
According to the source, sufficient arms and ammunition were not provided for them to fight Boko Haram terrorists; therefore, they soon ran out of ammunition.
Nigerian soldiers on the battle field often complain about being under equipped to face Boko Haram insurgents.
He also blamed the death of those killed on poor firepower and inadequate equipment to combat the insurgents.
“Boko Haram successfully infiltrated into our location during the month and caused KIA and WIA. So some of our colleagues fled during the battle and were all charged and dismissed for not retaliating,” he added.
Army spokesman Major General Onyema Nwachukwu could not be reached for comments.
– Insecurity and violence in Nigeria –
For more than a decade, civilians in Nigeria have faced multiple security threats and risk of atrocities as result of attacks, kidnappings and extortion by various non-state armed groups.
Since the start of 2024 civilians have faced intensified violence across Nigeria, and near-daily attacks by armed groups resulting in kidnappings and other abuses against civilians.
Armed groups and gangs, including so-called “bandits,” have – for many years – perpetrated widespread atrocities, including murder, rape, kidnapping, organized cattle-rustling and plunder. Armed herdsmen are also destroying vast swaths of farmland, prompting many farmers to abandon their land out of fear of attack.
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