The death toll in Wednesday’s deadly ambush by Boko Haram in Borno State
may have risen to 33, reports from the area say.
The attack came in the implementation of a 40-day “clearance” operation
declared by the Chief of Army Staff, Yusuf Buratai, in which he said he wanted
Boko Haram leader dead or alive.
Fresh reports show that no fewer than 12 soldiers were killed while at
least four out of 12 staff of the University of Maiduguri equally lost their
lives. Two of the soldiers were
officers, one of them identified as Lt. M. Medawa, who was due to be decorated
on Thursday as Captain, a rank to which he was recently promoted.
In the ambush, some officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC) and members of staff of the University of Maiduguri
(UNIMAID) undertaking a research project concerning oil exploration in the area
were abducted.
On Wednesday evening, military sources and local vigilantes said that
some of those people have contacted their relations.Providing an update at
about the same time, the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General
Sani Kukasheka Usman, said in the statement that as soon as information about
the ambush reached the Brigade mobilized and sent reinforcement, search and
rescue party that included the Armed Forces Special Forces and guides that
worked and pursued the terrorists throughout the night.
“So far, they have rescued all the NNPC staff and recovered the corpses
of the Officer, eight soldiers and a civilian have who have been evacuated to 7
Division Medical Services and Hospital,” he said. SaharaReporters has not independently
confirmed how many of those who were abducted have regained their freedom.
Another military source, who requested anonymity, confirmed the arrival
of the eight bodies in Maiduguri on Wednesday, with four more arriving at
Maimalanri Cantonment on Thursday at about 6pm. [But it is not yet 6p.m
Thursday!!]
In addition, top leader of the “civilian JTF” who participated in the
evacuation disclosed that 11 members of their own group, including the chairman
of the Magumeri Civilian –JTF branch, were also killed.
"We just came back from Magumeri this evening, 11 of our members are
dead and some are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals," the
top leader of the civilian group said.
According to Saharareporters, Concerning those who have been reported to be safe, he said, “Some have
called that they are in Damaturu, we strongly believe that the remaining ones
will soon return. Let me tell you, this can't stop us; no hiding place for Boko
Haram, we shall flush them out."
Local vigilantes also said that six of their members who were with the
team of oil explorers and troops from Magumeri were also snatched in the
ambush.
"Six of our members fell into the hands of their enemy, they are all
from Magumeri branch of [the] local vigilante," a vigilante source told
SaharaReporters.
In another development, a source at the University of Maiduguri said the
younger brother of the Vice-Chancellor of the institution was among victims.
"I just received a phone call that [on Friday], there will be a
funeral of the younger brother of our Vice Chancellor at UNIMAID central
mosque, " that source said.
At the University of Maiduguri Teaching, a member of staff who works in
the mortuary has also confirmed that four corpses were brought into the
facility early on Thursday (Nigerian Time), identified to have been on the
staff of UNIMAID.
He added, however, that two others on the UNIMAID staff had contacted
their VC, saying they are receiving treatment at the military facility.
Earlier on Wednesday, SaharaReporters reported that many had been killed
or were missing after suspected Boko Haram terrorists ambushed a convoy of
troops, oil prospectors, University Geologists and others on Wednesday at Borno
Yesu in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno state.
In his update, Brigadier-General Usman said the ambush took place on
Tuesday at about 3p.m., and that it involved the escorts as well as a team of
NNPC staff returning from oil exploration at Borno Yasu, Magumeri Local
Government Area of Borno State.
Of the military response, he said, “The [search and rescue] team
recovered 4 vehicles one of which includes a gun truck mounted with an
Anti-Aircraft Gun, 2 white Hilux taken away from NNPC staff and 1 blue Hilux
belonging to CJTF. They team also recovered large quantities of arms and
ammunition, several spare tyres, many jerry cans of containing Petroleum, Oil
and Lubricant, assorted drugs, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making
materials, reflective jackets and a Motorola handheld radio, among others. The
team also neutralized many of the terrorists.”
Although he stressed that the troops are not relenting in their efforts,
it is unclear how Tuesday’s ugly incident will impact the oil exploration
efforts in the Lake Chad Basin.
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