*Photo used for illustrative purpose*
The Nigeria Army has confirmed that 112 persons were killed in
January’s accidental airstrike at the Internally Displaced Persons’
(IDPs) camp in Rann, Borno State.
But, this is in conflict with a report by the Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu who gave an interview where he emphatically stated that 236 people were confirmed dead in the attack.
The Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen. Lucky Irabor, in Maiduguri, said 97 persons were injured in the attack.
He also revealed that 26 foreigners that had contacts with Boko
Haram were apprehended in the last one month by the troops of the
Command.
Addressing a press conference in Maiduguri, Irabor said of the foreigners caught were 17 Chadians and nine Nigeriens.
Added to the 26 foreigners arrested during operations, he said, a Malian, simply identified as Ayuba was arrested in Dikwa..
Another major arrest made in Shehuri area of Maiduguri, according
to Irabor, is a suspected Boko Haram member who specializes in sneaking
suicide bombers into Maiduguri.
Irabor disclosed that seven cattle rustlers were arrested in Monguno, and 34 cows were recovered from them.
Irabor said 3,332 suspected Boko Haram members who were arrested in
January during operations against the insurgents were currently being
screened to ascertain if they were indeed members of the group.
He equally revealed that five Boko Haram members were willingly surrendered.
Among the five is a 31- year- old Mohammed Abubakar, who has had
his limb and arm amputated by the insurgents for trying to desert.
Abubakar in a brief interview with journalists, revealed how his right arm and left limb got amputated.
“I told my friend Hassan Danguduma we have to flee and
surrender because our activities are not Islamic. He pretended as if he
supported the idea, but leaked the secret to our ameer. So they
amputated my left leg and right hand from the wrist. But I managed to
escape.”
He added: “I have been in the group for two years, they abducted me
from Wulgo Hausari village Gamboru Ngala local government. For fear of
being killed, I joined the group. I’m loyal to Mamman Nur-led faction”.
On the Rann misfire, Irabor said after the sad incident of Rann
airstrike accident, coordinated emergency response was established for
rescue and treatment of victims, surgical centre was equally set up.
He equally revealed that a board of inquiry was established by the
Theatre Command to investigate the incident which proved it was a
mistake and that 112 persons died and 97 others were wounded in the
incident.
Irabor said the chairman of Kala Balge local government who told
the press that 236 persons killed in the attack were buried by his
people had come out to recant.
He said the chairman in an apology which he has on tape had come to
apologize that he was pushed by extraneous forces to give a bogus
figure
On other successes recorded in the last one month, Irabor said
troops conducted several operation and recovered several arms,
ammunition in Sambisa Forest.
He said five insurgents were killed around Sambisa Forest, in Dikwa nine militants were also killed.
He said, “In Monguno troops trailed and had an ecounter with
insurgents, one militant killed. Troops conducted operations along
Maiduguri-Dikwa road, killed two insurgents. In Gulumba-Gana road, with
support of Cameroonian troops four terrorists were killed.”
Source-toring
