Lt. Gen. Buratai, Chief of Army Staff
The Nigerian Army has denied reports alleging that its troops and vehicles were captured by Boko Haram terrorists in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State during an encounter.
The army in a statement made on Monday by Brigadier-General Texas Chukwu, Director, Army Public Relations, categorically denied the reports as not only untrue and misleading, but blown out of proportion by the media.
It said there was an attempted attack on troops at Kwakwa and Chingori communities in Bama area of Borno state by suspected Boko Haram terrorists and as a result of the difficult terrain military vehicles were bugged down.
The terrorists, the statement said attempted to cut away operational vehicles but were successfully repelled by troops with support of air force resulting in the neutralization of 22 terrorist while several escaped with gunshot wounds.
Brigadier-General Chukwu said one officer and a soldier sustained injuries and are currently receiving attention calling on the people to disregard the information as their safety is guaranteed.
The army he said would not join issues with the media but noted that certain facts must be reported with caution particularly in the face of the numerous success recorded by troops in the fight against insurgency.
