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General News of Thursday, 4 March 2021

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Our fellow soldiers were killing us - Escaped soldier alleges

The photo used to illustrate the story via Daily Trust The photo used to illustrate the story via Daily Trust

One of the 101 soldiers that fled attacks from Boko Haram attacks in New Marte and Dikwa towns in Borno State has given a chilling account of what transpired before they fleed.

The soldier who remains unknown to the public told Wazobia Port Harcourt's AM programme on Thursday, March 4, 2021, that they were attacked by fellow soldiers.

He said that the only option he and his colleagues had was to run away.

His revelation comes off the back of the news reports that there is a manhunt for the escapees by the Nigerian military.

The Nigerian military has also ordered a freeze of the bank accounts of the 12 officers and 86 soldiers who went missing in the wake of the attacks.

Premium Times reports that three majors, three captains, six lieutenants and three sergeants were among those who ran away.

Meanwhile, The leader of the secessionist group, Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has urged the 101 soldiers to join the ESN.

This advice was made in a live telecast on Wednesday, March 4, 2021. He said the attackers, who are burning and destroying police stations were avenging airstrikes by the military on the South East in February.

He noted that the ESN's doors were open to such soldiers.

Kanu said, “Sometimes I wonder, how can you come from the East, West and Middle Belt, and you are in the army? And they used you to go and fight the bandits so that you can be killed.

“Today, soldiers are leaving and they have ordered for their arrest for leaving the army. And I am telling all these soldiers to go and join the Eastern Security Network. Today, we have all these unknown gunmen; they have been avenging for us and if you come and kill us, they will avenge for us.”