The Nigeria Army had denied reports from North-east credited to Reuters and Agence France Presse, AFP that 30 soldiers had been killed during an attack on a Nigeria Army base in Bornu state, North-east Nigeria.
According to the reports, troops deployed in Zari town, Guzamali Local Government Area of Borno state, came under attack on Thursday resulting in the death of at least 30 Nigerian soldiers.
The report had further stated that scores of Boko haram jihadists, in trucks had stormed the base and seized it briefly after a fierce battle in which 30 soldiers were killed.
The Nigeria Army however denied the casualties sustained by troops while confirming the attack.
Read: Boko Haram Attack Army Base Kill 30 Soldiers
Spokesperson for Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole, Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, while confirming the attack, denied that the Army suffered casualties through a Telephone interview.
According to the Nigeria Army, troops successfully repelled the attack, killing several insurgents in the process and captured their equipment in addition.
According to Nwachuwu;
“That information is not correct. It’s true that we had an encounter with Boko Haram at a location called Zari. The Boko Haram came to attack that community, and our troops deployed few kilometres away from the location, countered the attack.
The ground troops were supported by the Air Task Force, and several Boko Haram Terrorists were killed, and we also destroyed many of their equipment, weapons.
On our side, I’m yet to receive casualty figure on my desk, if there was any. So, I cannot confirm that we had (any) and I think it’s very untrue for anyone to (say we had that casualty figure).”
Nwachukwu also affirmed that a statement was released by the Nigeria Army on the attack on its base by the insurgents.
“Troops… have successfully routed Boko Haram insurgents in an encounter that ensued yesterday (Thursday) evening at Zari village in Guzamali Local Government Area of Borno state.
The insurgents were on rampage to loot the community and extort money from villagers but met with a fierce resistance by the troops who were supported by the Air Task Force. Several members of the Boko Haram fighters were neutralized and weapons destroyed during the encounter.
Zari village and the surrounding communities have been stabilized and normalcy restored. The troops have also been reinforced to conduct more robust fighting patrol in the general area.
The people of Guzamali and Mobar communities and indeed the entire good people of Borno State are urged to remain calm, resilient and supportive of Operation Lafiya Dole, as the troops relentlessly fight terrorism and insurgency in the North East.” The statement read.