Ebun Francis || The Nigerian Army on Friday said it lost, five soldiers, including a Lieutenant, to Boko Haram insurgents in the attack on Magumeri town in Borno State. The attack occurred on Wednesday when the troops were returning from a shooting exercise.
In a statement, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, Director Army Public Relations, said that three other soldiers were missing in action.
According to him, “Troops chased fleeing Boko Haram Terrorists up to Doho, Mina Maideni, Donari, Salari, and Lawari villages. After a hot pursuit and mop up the troops were able to neutralise an unconfirmed number of Boko Haram terrorists.
“Unfortunately we lost an officer and four soldiers, while three others were still missing.”
Even though Brig. Gen. Usman declined to name the soldiers killed, sources within the military have confirmed Lieutenant Akinwale Christopher Oguntoye was the officer killed. Lt. Akinwale was a member of the 60 Regular Course cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy.