Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Army said on Saturday that four of its 16 soldiers and a commanding officer declared missing after Boko Haram last Wednesday’s  ambush of its troops fighting the insurgents at ambush at Guro Gongon, Alargamo area of Borno State have been rescued.

Colonel Sani Usman, Acting director, Public Relations said the Army, in a concerted effort to find the missing soldiers had deployed air assets, Special Forces and patrols and the search party on Saturday morning found 5 more officers and soldiers, including the unit’s Commanding Officer.

He added that though the rescued soldiers are in a stable condition, they have been moved to military medical facilities for medical care.

The Army had on Friday said 16 soldiers were missing after an operation to clear the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in Gongon village in Alagarno general area, Borno.

Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, stated this while briefing newsmen in Maiduguri.

Irabor added that 16 soldiers and three Civilian JTF members were also wounded during the operation.

“On July 20, own troops with some Civilian JTF conducted clearing operation to Gongon village in Alagarno general area.

”Own troops destroyed Boko Haram camps and captured a gun truck mounted with an Anti-Aircraft gun, an RPG tube, a Light Machine Gun, 3 AK-47 rifles and other logistic items of the terrorists.

“However, when own troops were returning to their defensive location, they ran into an ambush by the terrorists who came to reinforce their fleeing comrades.

”The troops fought back gallantly killing many of them; sadly, 16 soldiers and three Civilian JTF were wounded in action; some others, including the Commanding Officer are missing in action.

“A search party has been dispatched; so far, six soldiers and four Civilian JTF have rejoined unit, the wounded are stable and responding to treatment.

”Currently, there are three officers and 16 soldiers still missing”, Irabor said.