According to estimates, around 40 troops were killed in the latest terrorist strikes in Borno State. However, the Nigerian Army has denied these claims.
The Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, Sani Uba Media Information Officer released a statement on Saturday denying the claim.
The circumstances leading up to the attacks and the forces’ reaction were distorted, according to Uba, because the report used what he called unreliable sources.
He stated that the attacks took place when the surviving members of Boko Haram banded together and began a concerted nighttime onslaught on civilian areas and military installations in the Konduga, Ngoshe, Mainok, and Jakana regions after being driven out of the Sambisa Forest.
Several terrorists were killed during the battles, he added, and the army repelled the militants in response to the attacks.
On the other hand, Uba verified that a CO and several soldiers were slain in the confrontation with the assailants.
He further clarified that contrary to what was said in the report, the forces did not surrender but rather battled the terrorists in several confrontations in order to protect the impacted towns.
The statement went on to say that Waidi Shaibu, the Chief of Army Staff, had gone to the Maiduguri theatre of operations to look at the situation and see how counter-terrorism operations were proceeding.
The operations against the terrorists were allegedly sustained during Shaibu’s visit as he ordered the deployment of extra equipment and the reinforcement of troops.
In order to apprehend fugitives from the terrorist assaults and free any citizens who might have been kidnapped, the army announced that synchronised air and ground operations were continuing.