The Nigerian Defence headquarters has described as ‘tactical maneuver’ the fleeing to Cameroun  of some 480 Nigerian  soldiers who were engaged in battle against Boko Haram  on Monday. 

The British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC had earlier on Monday reported that the soldiers had fled to the country following fierce confrontation with the insurgents in Gamboru Ngala, a border town between  Nigeria and Cameroun following fierce fighting with the insurgents. 

Reports indicated that the insurgent had added the town to the other territories of Nigeria under their control after they chased out Nigerian soldiers from their barrack in the area on Monday morning. 

Nigerian soldiers: DHQ denies escape story

Didier Badjek, described as a spokesperson for the Camerounian military had confirmed the story, adding that the soldiers have been disarmed and are being accommodated in some schools.

But in a post on its website, Defence headquarters said: “the Nigerian troops that were found in Cameroun was as a result of a sustained battle between the troops and the terrorists around the borders with Cameroun which saw the Nigerian troops charging through the borders in a tactical maneuver.

“Eventually they found themselves on Camerounian soil. 

“Being allies the normal protocol of managing such incident demanded that the troops submit their weapons in order to assure the friendly country that they were not on a hostile mission.

“Following necessary discussions between Nigerian and Camerounian military authorities, the issues have been sorted out. Subsequently, the troops are on their way back to join their unit in Nigeria.

“The reference to the incidence as a defection is therefore not appropriate considering the discussion between the two countries’ military leadership and the series of contacts with the soldiers who have confirmed that they are safe.

“Meanwhile, troops are repelling a group of terrorists who are trying to enter the country through Gamboru Ngala. A group of them who fizzled into the town are being pursued,” the Defence Headquarters said.