5 Days After, Army Speaks Over Brutal Metele Attack On Soldiers

After five days, the Nigerian Army has finally broken silence over the killing of scores of soldiers of the 157 task force battalion stationed in Metele by the insurgent group of Boko Haram.

Its reaction is contained in a statement published across the social media pages on Friday night.

While some of the soldiers are still missing and the reported number of soldiers projects towards 100, the army spokesman failed to confirm actual figures to this effect.

“The attention of the NA has been drawn to several social media, print, electronic and online publications about the recent attack on 157 Task Force Battalion at Metele. Whilst it is true that there was an attack on the location on 18 November 2018, it has however, become necessary to correct several misinformation being circulated with regards to this unfortunate event.

“It is important for the public to note that the NA has laid down procedures for reporting incidents that involve its personnel who fall casualty in action.

Out of respect for the families of our gallant troops, the NOKs are first notified before any form of public information so as to avoid exacerbating the grief family members would bear, were they to discover such from unofficial sources”, the army said.

“Furthermore, it suffices to observe that several social media, print and online publications have been brandishing false casualty figures as well as circulating various footages of old and inaccurate BHT propaganda videos and alluding same to be the attack on 157 Task
Force Battalion. Whilst it is understandable how such
misinformation can spread in this era of social media frenzy, the spurious circulation of some of these videos only contribute to further propagate the propaganda intent of the terrorists; to misinform the populace and portray themselves as what they are not.

So far, the situation is that the location is under control as reinforcing units have been able to repel the terrorists and stabilize the situation.

“The NA sincerely wishes to thank the various arms of government, MDAs and sister security agencies that have
stood with her in these trying times; by commiserating with the families of the fallen heroes who have paid the
supreme price for the defence of our dearly beloved country. The necessary support being given the NA by the
Federal Government and the goodwill of the Nigerian populace will undoubtedly continue to spur the NA towards the ultimate defeat of the highly degraded BHTs”, the statement added.

However, President Muhammadu Buhari has dispatched Mansur Dan-Ali, minister of defence, for an emergency meeting with Chadian President Idris Deby.

Expectedly, the president will now make official reaction regarding the killing of Nigerian fighters after a week now.