A yet unknown number of Nigerian soldiers drowned in the Yobe River in North-East Nigeria as they tried to escape intense fire from Boko Haram fighters on Monday, PREMIUM TIMES can authoritatively report.
Also, no fewer than 22 soldiers are currently recuperating in a hospital in neighbouring Niger Republic following the attack.
The troops were manning an outpost in Gashigar, Borno State, near the border with Niger, when hundreds of terrorists advanced rapidly towards them, forcing the troops to abandon their position with some diving into the nearby river, top military sources familiar with the development told PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday.
The Nigerian Army had on Tuesday distributed a statement announcing the assault on Nigerian troops, but blamed it on “escaping Boko Haram remnants.”
But a day after the statement, which was signed by Sani Usman, a colonel, details of what actually transpired on the battlefield that day and the reaction of commanders on the ground have been exclusively obtained by PREMIUM TIMES.
According to the security sources, the soldiers, attached to 145 Task Force Battalion, came under attack around 5:00 p.m. on Monday, but rescue operation did not yield result until the next day.
On that Tuesday, three rescue operations were carried out by soldiers from the neighbouring Republic of Niger operating in Ngarwa.
Around 7:00 a.m., they rescued the first set of nine Nigerian soldiers. At about 2:00 p.m., seven more were rescued. The last set of six troops was rescued around 5:30 p.m. in the River Komadougou Yobe, which empties into Lake Chad through Niger.


The troops, numbering 22, were dispatched to Diffa General Hospital in Niger. Two of them sustained gunshot wounds while the rest were said to have been rescued unscathed.
The casualty figure, including those who drowned, was yet to be determined as at the time of filing this report.
The sources said the troops have started recounting the incident to their superiors.
The soldiers said they were manning their post in Gashigar when they learnt that suspected terrorists, dressed in black and multi-coloured camouflage, were approaching in several utility trucks while chanting ‘Allah Akbar!’ (Allah is great).
“Troops then had to flee from their position because of their their inability to take on the terrorists in such a large number and firepower,” one of our sources said.
“The terrorists then began chasing them, and we learnt that many jumped into the Yobe River where some of them drown or get fatally shot by the attackers.”
The soldiers also said Boko Haram seized their armoured vehicle and set it alight.
But the sources said the military leadership might open an investigation into the attacks to establish the claims of the soldiers.
FILE PHOTO: Boko Haram
FILE PHOTO: Boko Haram
One source said some of the claims made by the troops were doubtful.
For instance, the commanders said it is difficult to explain how utility trucks were used to dispossess soldiers of their armoured vehicles especially when the soldiers said they were standing alert in their position.
The leadership also found it curious that the soldiers were rescued with their bullets still largely unspent.
“If they actually came under attack while they were fully at alert, then they should have exhausted their ammunition before taking to their heels,” the source said. “At least that much should be clear.”
Mr. Usman did not respond to PREMIUM TIMES’ requests for comments.
Nigerian troops are fighting alongside their counterparts from Cameroon and the Republic of Niger.


Monday’s development marked the first time in more than two years that Nigerian troops would come under superior firepower that required foreign military personnel to come to counter.
A similar incident last occurred in August 2014 when about 480 troops crossed the border into Cameroon while fleeing Boko Haram.
It also underscored the renewed vigour of the sect to launch major attacks on not just civilians but uniformed men after losing the huge swathes of land it once controlled.
Besides losing territory, the insurgents had also been largely decimated by the troops which experts said is responsible for their activities being whittled down across their stronghold in the northeast.
The insurgency, which began in 2009, has left approximately 20,000 people dead and displacement of millions.
Boko Haram leaders recently engaged in negotiation with the Nigerian government which led to last week’s release of 21 of the over 200 girls kidnapped from Chibok, Borno State, in April 2014.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/213167-exclusive-how-several-nigerian-soldiers-drowned-in-river-yobe-after-boko-haram-attack.html

RIP to our gallant soldiers...

Our gallant officers.

why did not the soldiers shoot the Boko haram members but instead allowed the militants to pursue is surprising

On that Tuesday, three rescue operations were carried out by soldiers from the neighbouring Republic of Niger operating in Ngarwa.
Around 7:00 a.m., they rescued the first set of nine Nigerian soldiers. At about 2:00 p.m., seven more were rescued. The last set of six troops was rescued around 5:30 p.m. in the River Komadougou Yobe, which empties into Lake Chad through Niger.

Another tactical manoeuvre.

Government bought the media, most of them won't report this... we will only be hearing about the planned chibok scam.....

Our soldiers still don't know how to hold their positions

According to the security sources, the soldiers, attached to 145 Task Force Battalion, came under attack around 5:00 p.m. on Monday, but rescue operation did not yield result until the next day.
On that Tuesday, three rescue operations were carried out by soldiers from the neighbouring Republic of Niger operating in Ngarwa.
Around 7:00 a.m., they rescued the first set of nine Nigerian soldiers. At about 2:00 p.m., seven more were rescued. The last set of six troops was rescued around 5:30 p.m. in the River Komadougou Yobe, which empties into Lake Chad through Niger.

From my calculation if 22 soldiers were dispatched and you rescued 9 + 6 + 7 = 22, then the one's that drown where did they come from.

I don't feel happy each time i hear we lost a soldier to boko haram.

Did they fire back or just ran away

Okay

gurunlocker:
Government bought the media, most of them won't report this... we will only be hearing about the planned chibok scam.....

What's this one saying? How are they in any way trynna prevent the media from reporting it? You want the media to report what never happened? In the figment of your imagination? Grow up dude!

And they are rebuilding d northeast... Why d rush... I said it here d other time that the extremists are not yet decapitated and d rebuilding should be put on hold... One guy quoted me here saying they should use what they have and stuff.... am not wishing fo d militants to over power d army or stuff... am just saying proper thinking is required... RIP fallen heroes....

Great NA, may all your labour and sacrifices not be in vain.
May God help your family I'm times of difficulties and hardships.
May no one succeed to use your efforts to play cheap politics and embark on cheap propaganda , they do #ChibokGirls

Great NA, may all your labour and sacrifices not be in vain.
May God help your family I'm times of difficulties and hardships.
May no one succeed to use your efforts to play cheap politics and embark on cheap propaganda , they do #ChibokGirls.

Coward Nigerian Bokoharamic soldiers....

BUHARI IS BOKOHARAM.....quote me anywhere

Why do I feel happy reading this news

This is either african magic or a miracle, The same soldiers who shot at unarmed protesters killed an unarmed footballer in Bayelsa are now being rescued by Niger Republic Soliders and someone will tell me that this country is not a fake Zoo.

The soldiers are simply Jokers of the decade, No wonder they all suffer from epilepsy when they hear anything Biafra , what happened to the rules of engagement and the shoot at sight order.

"We have decimated Boko Haram " Lia Mohammed Buhari

They lived to die. It was their choice. Cos I cant rationalize why anyone will chose to pick up a gun just to kill others for money and country.

What a country ?

Now, you can expect all Tesla cars to be self - driving by 2017

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Billyonaire:
They lived to die. It was their choice. Cos I cant rationalize why anyone will chose to pick up a gun just to kill others for money and country.

Is that all you could say about those that fight to keep you safe while you go on with your daily and night activities.

ayobase:


Is that all you could say about those that fight to keep you safe while you go on with your daily and night activities.

I live in Lagos, I am safe, I do not want anyone risking his/her life to protect me. I can protect myself, and I can protect my fam.

Billyonaire:
I live in Lagos, I am safe, I do not want anyone risking his/her life to protect me. I can protect myself, and I cant protect my fam.

"...and I cant protect my fam."

You just confirmed that.

Progressive01

RIP to the gallant soldiers

E no go ever better for APC

Please soldiers should return home if they want, the 21 swapped Chibok girls is a testimony that there's enjoyment on the other side.
Of course this war is more than the Chibok girls, but we have lost focus on this war, if there was really any.

Billyonaire:
I live in Lagos, I am safe, I do not want anyone risking his/her life to protect me. I can protect myself, and I can protect my fam.

Sup bro.
Wana hav a word with u