Nigerian Army denies 101 soldiers ran away from Boko Haram fight

The Nigerian Army has denied a recent report alleging that a total of 12 officers and 89 soldiers were declared wanted for running away from the anti-Boko Haram fight in Borno state.

Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, director army public relations stated that the claim soldiers absconded from duty after Boko Haram attacks on their camps is false.

Yerima made this known on Thursday, March 4, in a statement he signed and was shared on the army's official Facebook page.

He noted that the report was targeted at dampening the morale and fighting efficiency of the troops.

The army spokesman urged members of the general public to disregard the publication, saying the troops are in high spirit and clearing areas infiltrated by Boko Haram terrorists/ISWAP.

Premium Times had reported that the Nigerian Army had declared the soldiers wanted for running away and also froze their bank accounts.

It was gathered that the soldiers absconded from duty after the Boko Haram attacks on their camps in Marte and Dikwa local government areas of Borno state allegedly left many of their colleagues dead.

The soldiers, attached to the 15 Task Force Battalion, were reportedly ambushed and dislodged after hours of intense fighting.

They later tactically retreated and relocated to Dikwa which was attacked again.

Daily Trust also reported that a signal dated March 1, 2021, from Operation Lafiya Dole Headquarters in Maiduguri, showed that the soldiers were declared deserters.

The newspaper cited a military source as saying that the case of the soldiers that deserted was a source of concern.