16 soldiers feared killed in Borno

SUSPECTED members of Boko Haram, on Tuesday, attacked a military post in Bulabulin Ngaura of Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State and killed about 16 soldiers.

One of the soldiers that narrowly escaped the attack told journalists in Maiduguri that they were subdued. 

“Some of my colleagues were abducted and many others escaped with bullet wounds. Dozens of Boko Haram insurgents stormed our checkpoint at Bulabulin. The terrorists came in a convoy of over 30 vehicles, mounted with anti-aircraft guns,” he said.

On how he escaped, he said: “I was at the checkpoint when the terrorists came. We tried our best, but they had advantage over us. They had anti-aircraft guns and we had Ak-47 rifles not fully loaded. 

“When we realised that they had taken over the place, some of us escaped to Maiduguri and other places, but many could not make it. 

“As I am talking to you, 16 bodies of our colleagues have been brought to Maiduguri, this is besides those that sustained injuries and many others that are still missing in action.”

Efforts to get the spokesman of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Colonel Muhammadu Dole, in Maiduguri, as of the time of going to press failed, as his lines were not going through.

The state Police Public Relations Officer,  Gideon Jibril, told the Nigerian Tribune that he was not aware, because he had not received any official document to that effect.

“I tried to assist some journalists who had earlier inquired of the situation by sending text message to our colleague attached to the JTF, but he sent a text message that they were having a meeting,” he said.